Women by Verandah (Harusame no kei) 

Curator: This is Utagawa Kunisada’s woodblock print, "Women by Verandah," also known as "Harusame no kei," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a strangely serene scene, almost dreamlike with those blurred edges and muted colors. She seems lost in thought, maybe composing a melody for the koto. Curator: Indeed, the instrument is central. The woman's posture and gaze direct us to her craft, which is set against the ephemeral spring rain—a symbol of transient beauty and fleeting moments. Editor: Transient beauty. That makes sense. It’s as if the cherry blossoms outside are mirroring the transient nature of her art, both ephemeral and poignant. Makes me wonder, what was on her mind? Curator: Perhaps she reflects on the passage of time, or the inherent melancholy associated with artistic expression in the face of nature's cycles. Editor: I think I'll always wonder what tune she was playing. It’s a captivating glimpse into a quiet moment. Curator: A testament to how Kunisada captures the delicate interplay between human emotion and the surrounding world.