Poet Ono no Komachi (active c. 833-857) from page 12B of the printed book of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets" (SanjÅ«rokkasen), Kōetsu edition c. 1610

Curator: This is a page from the Kōetsu edition of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets," featuring Poet Ono no Komachi, with calligraphy by Hon'ami Kōetsu during the Momoyama period. It's a woodblock print, measuring about 34 by 24 centimeters. Editor: She looks so forlorn! It’s a poignant image—the intricate patterns of the kimono can’t hide the melancholy in her posture. Curator: The composition is fascinating, isn't it? Note the stark contrast between the dense patterning of the garments and the calligraphic strokes above—a sophisticated interplay of texture and line. Editor: It's like she's disappearing into the fabric of her own sadness. I wonder what inspired such a somber portrayal. Curator: Perhaps Kōetsu aimed to capture the essence of Komachi's poetry, often characterized by themes of love, loss, and the transience of beauty. Editor: That makes sense. It’s a feeling rendered so powerfully here. Curator: Indeed, a masterful union of image and text, capturing a fleeting moment of introspection. Editor: A haunting portrait of a poet's soul, etched in ink.