Page from Hagoromo (Feathered Robe) c. 1984 - 1986

Curator: This is "Page from Hagoromo," by Matsubara Naoko, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The scene depicts a fisherman and an angel, rendered in bold blue and red woodblock prints. Editor: My first thought is how stark yet fluid it feels. The figures, though simplified, pulse with a quiet intensity. Curator: Absolutely. The visual language here draws heavily on the tale of Hagoromo, a Japanese Noh play where a fisherman finds a celestial robe. The robe, of course, is a potent symbol of transformation and the ephemeral nature of beauty. Editor: Indeed! Think of how clothing often signifies identity, status, even sacred roles. Here, the "feathered robe" is more than just fabric; it's a bridge between worlds, holding the key to the angel's return to the heavens. Curator: And the artist's deliberate use of color? Red for earthly passion and blue for the ethereal realm. It’s a striking dialogue, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: It's about longing, and the push and pull between the concrete and the abstract. It makes you wonder about the stories we wrap ourselves in—or that are taken from us. Curator: Yes, a story etched in sharp lines, inviting contemplation.