Picture Book of Seasoned Grass: Waka by Famous Poets (Ehon yachiyo-gusa), 3rd of 3 Volumes Possibly 1768

Curator: This delicate image comes from Suzuki Harunobu's "Picture Book of Seasoned Grass: Waka by Famous Poets," part of a three-volume set. Editor: It feels so… wispy! The lines are like breath, barely there, giving everything a dreamlike quality. Curator: Harunobu, working in the 18th century, was a master of woodblock printing, and this exemplifies the elegance and refinement he brought to the medium. The scene depicts a humble interaction: a figure with a horse, set against a landscape with calligraphy overhead. Editor: The calligraphy almost floats, like the poems themselves are part of the scenery. It's a gentle reminder that even the simplest image can hold profound meaning. Curator: Indeed, it’s fascinating how the imagery and text work together, creating a space for reflection on nature, labor, and the artistic traditions that bind them. Editor: It's left me feeling oddly peaceful, like I’ve just glimpsed a quiet corner of the world.