Illustrated Book of Professions with Kyōka (Kyōka Yamato jinbutsu) in 7 Volumes Possibly 1857

Curator: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige’s “Illustrated Book of Professions with Kyoka (Kyoka Yamato jinbutsu) in 7 Volumes." Editor: They seem so fragile, almost ethereal with that pale blue. And the insect forms on the cover…are those dragonflies? Curator: Perhaps. The dragonfly is a potent symbol of summer and fleeting beauty in Japanese art. Their presence can evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. Editor: Interesting, because the composition feels so balanced; the stark lines of the binding against the script and the dragonflies create a harmony. Curator: Absolutely, and consider the texture: the rough paper grain contrasting with the smooth calligraphy. The materiality itself speaks to the ephemeral nature of life. Editor: Seeing them all together, it feels like a miniature library of lives and stories, each volume a testament to the human experience. Curator: Indeed, a poignant reminder of our shared history and the beauty found in the everyday.