Sumidagawa watashi no zu, from the series Tōto meisho zue c. 19th century

Curator: This is Utagawa Hiroshige's "Sumidagawa watashi no zu" from his "Toto meisho zue" series, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The pale blues and pinks give it such a serene quality, though there’s an almost unsettling stillness to the water, isn't there? Curator: The Sumida River, especially during the Edo period, was laden with symbolism. Water often represents purification, rebirth, but also the transient nature of life, and that bird in flight is a good omen. Editor: And just look at how he's managed to suggest the weave of the textiles. This is a woodblock print; can you imagine the skill and labor involved in carving those blocks and layering the colors? Curator: The women themselves, so carefully rendered, represent ideals of beauty and refinement. Their journey on the river could symbolize a spiritual passage or pilgrimage, echoing deeper cultural values. Editor: It's easy to be drawn into the image, but it’s important to remember the labor and artistry involved in its creation. Curator: Indeed, it offers a glimpse into not just a place, but a whole way of being.