from the series Eight Favorite Things in the Modern World (Tōsei kōbutsu hakkei) c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have a print from the series Eight Favorite Things in the Modern World by Keisai Eisen. The plaid kimono gives me a cozy, wintery feeling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, the woman’s poised demeanor and the book above her head suggest intellectual pursuits, perhaps even a hint of melancholy. The "favorite things" were definitely symbols, markers of status and belonging. Editor: So it’s more than just a pretty picture? Curator: Oh, absolutely! It's a commentary on what society values, what we covet. It’s a bit like our Instagram feeds today, isn’t it? Editor: Hmm, I never thought of it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Now I'm thinking about what my eight favorite things are…