SAMURAI AND MONKEY 

Editor: So, this colorful woodblock print, "Samurai and Monkey," is by Keisai Eisen. I’m really struck by the sort of relaxed, almost comical feel despite the samurai subject. What's your read on this piece? Curator: Isn’t it delightful? Eisen seems to be winking at us. The plum blossoms, for example, traditionally symbolize renewal, but here, they feel more like a decorative backdrop for this unlikely duo. What does the monkey evoke for you? Editor: Mischief, maybe? It’s like he's about to steal the samurai's sword! Curator: Precisely! It could be poking fun at the samurai class, turning stereotypes on their head. It's the kind of rebellious streak that makes Eisen so fascinating. Editor: I see, so there's more to it than meets the eye! Curator: Always, isn’t there? It’s what keeps us looking, keeps us thinking.