Cuckoo at Tsukudajima 

Editor: So, this is Utagawa Toyohiro's "Cuckoo at Tsukudajima," held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite small, and I'm struck by the bird's dynamism against the stillness of those structures. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: It's fascinating how Toyohiro captures a sense of place and time. The cuckoo itself was culturally significant, often linked to themes of longing and the transient nature of life. How do you think the print engages with the Edo period's urban development? Editor: I guess the tall posts represent that development physically, while the bird reminds us of the natural world. Curator: Exactly. And think about who the audience for this print might have been and how the imagery might have resonated with them in the context of a changing society. It is a reflection of the cultural values of that period. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's rewarding to consider how art functions within larger social structures.