A Ferry Boat on the Sumida River 

Editor: Here we have Keisai Eisen's "A Ferry Boat on the Sumida River," created sometime before 1848. It feels like a snapshot, a fleeting moment on the water. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: It’s interesting you call it a snapshot! These ukiyo-e prints were mass-produced, capturing everyday life for a growing urban audience. I wonder, does the boatman's pole ground you, or do you find yourself drifting with the current, contemplating the pale moon? Editor: Definitely drifting, especially with the calligraphy adding to the dreamy feel. Curator: The poetry is part of the scene, an integral layer of meaning and feeling. Knowing this was for the masses makes you wonder what they saw that we miss today. Editor: That's a great point. It makes me appreciate how art reflects its time.