Heavenly Figure Riding Dragon/ Dragon (Tatsu), from the series Twelve Zodiac Animals (JÅ«nishi) c. 1820

Editor: So, this woodblock print, "Heavenly Figure Riding Dragon," by Yashima Gakutei, feels almost dreamlike. The colors are muted, and the figure seems so serene, even riding a dragon! What secrets do you think this piece holds? Curator: Secrets indeed, like a half-remembered myth! Gakutei, with a wink, blends the earthly and the divine, doesn't he? The dragon, usually fierce, is almost…domesticated. Perhaps it's about harnessing our inner chaos, finding grace amidst the fire? What do you think? Editor: That's beautiful! I was so focused on the surface, but now I see the deeper symbolism, the control and serenity. Curator: Exactly! It's a reminder that even the wildest parts of ourselves can be ridden with elegance. Editor: I love that! Thanks for helping me see beyond the obvious.