Cloth Bag with Cords and Plum Blossoms 19th century

Curator: What a charming still life. This woodblock print, created in the 19th century by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, is titled "Cloth Bag with Cords and Plum Blossoms." The Met is fortunate to have it in their collection. Editor: I find it unexpectedly intimate. The worn texture of the cloth bag, the casually placed plum blossoms—they suggest a personal story, perhaps a memento captured in print. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the cultural context of ukiyo-e prints. Often depicting scenes of everyday life, these works offered a reflection of society and its values. This particular image might speak to themes of domesticity, travel, and perhaps even status, given the detailed rendering of the bag and its contents. Editor: It’s the plum blossoms that really capture me. In East Asian art, they're powerful symbols of resilience, renewal, and the coming of spring. Here, nestled alongside a simple, everyday object, they almost elevate the ordinary to something sacred, hinting at beauty in the mundane. What about the inscriptions? Do they shed further light? Curator: They are poetic verses which connect the bag with themes of affection. The mention of "dwelling in the northeast direction of evil spirits" evokes a traditional belief in protecting against bad omens, further imbuing the image with symbolic meaning beyond its mere surface appearance. The final verse of playful modesty connects the image to a tradition of calligraphy practice and community. Editor: So the bag itself becomes an amulet, or a guardian. Its worn state a sign not of age or degradation but of care and memory. This combination of domestic practicality and layers of deeper significance is quite compelling, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: Undeniably. By understanding both its historical backdrop and symbolic resonance, we can truly appreciate the cultural importance embedded in this unassuming print. Editor: I concur; looking closely has made the common uncommon once more.