The Woman Who Loved Love (Koshoku Ichidai Onna); by Ihara Saikaku (1642-1693), Vol. 4 

Curator: This is a page from "The Woman Who Loved Love," volume four, illustrated by Yoshida Hanbei, a work which is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's fascinating how the monochrome, almost stark composition evokes such complex emotions. The arrangements of the figures speak to something profound, almost ritualistic. Curator: Indeed. Hanbei’s illustrations for Ihara Saikaku's novel offer insights into the social lives of women in 17th-century Japan. The imagery here hints at love, sexuality, and perhaps the commodification of relationships within that society. Editor: I’m drawn to the repetition of patterns, especially on the kimonos. It feels like a visual echo, reinforcing the cyclical nature of desire, and perhaps societal expectations. Curator: The stark ink drawings don't shy away from difficult subjects, offering a window into the complex roles women occupied and the societal pressures they faced. Editor: It prompts us to reflect on the visual vocabulary used to convey the nuances of love and longing in a world very different from our own.