Poem by Ki no Tomonori c. 1767 - 1768

Editor: This woodblock print, “Poem by Ki no Tomonori,” by Suzuki Harunobu, made around 1767 or '68, has such a delicate, almost dreamlike quality. The figures seem to float in the space. What stands out to you? Curator: The visual language here, particularly the symbols chosen, create layers of meaning that resonate deeply within Japanese cultural memory. Notice the poem inscribed above the figures. Editor: Yes, it looks like calligraphy. Curator: Exactly. That poem anchors the scene, linking it to a rich literary tradition. It shapes how the viewers from that time and even today experience it. The two figures almost become embodiments of the poem. Think about the significance of umbrellas in Japanese culture or even the type of dress the women wear and how it conveys class and even social roles within that specific time. What feeling do the birds in the sky evoke for you? Editor: Perhaps freedom, or a sense of longing? They're heading somewhere. I see that one of the women is carrying a lantern, does that mean something? Curator: The lantern in Japanese iconography symbolizes guidance, but also can represent a more spiritual enlightenment. In the context of the poem, perhaps they’re seeking understanding. Editor: So, it's like the artist uses visual symbols to enrich the poem's emotional meaning? Curator: Precisely! It reveals how intertwined art and literature were and are within Japanese culture, a continuous dialogue across centuries. Editor: I see it now; this image is more than just a pretty picture; it’s a whole world of cultural symbols working together. Curator: Indeed, a microcosm of cultural memory encoded in form and image.