Omodaka Flowers, with poems by TōjÅ«rō, Fujii Kamejirō and Royu (?) seventy-five years old c. 1795 - 1798

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this beautiful print, "Omodaka Flowers, with poems," created by Katsushika Hokusai. It's a nagaban print, a relatively narrow and long format. Editor: Oh, it feels like a breath of stillness. The delicate ochre palette is so calming, like a quiet pond reflecting the sky. It makes me want to write poetry! Curator: Hokusai, known for his landscapes, especially "The Great Wave," also produced botanical studies like this. It reflects an interest in nature and the poetic traditions of his time. Editor: I’m drawn to the stark contrast between the detailed flowers and the calligraphic text. It’s like nature and culture in conversation, a dance of the seen and the said. Curator: Indeed. The poems add another layer, perhaps providing commentary or emotional context related to the Omodaka flowers. Art was so often collaborative at the time. Editor: I imagine Hokusai sketching these flowers, feeling the breeze, and then these poets adding their words, their feelings. It's a collaborative moment captured in time! A shared inspiration.