The Kagerō Diary (Kagerō nikki), from the series Ten Tales for the Honchō Circle (Honchōren monogatari jÅ«ban) c. 19th century

Editor: This is Yashima Gakutei's "The Kagerō Diary," from the series Ten Tales for the Honchō Circle. I’m struck by the contrast between the figures within the enclosed space of the carriage and the calligraphy outside it. What symbols or meanings resonate with you in this piece? Curator: The carriage itself is potent; it's a liminal space, a transition between private and public realms. Note the figures within: they represent a scene from the Kagerō Nikki, a Heian period memoir. Their placement within the carriage—almost like a stage—invites us to consider themes of memory, performance, and the curated self. Do you see how the calligraphy acts as a commentary? Editor: Yes, now that you mention it, the calligraphy feels like a voice, a perspective outside the immediate scene. Curator: Precisely! The symbols here point to a complex layering of narrative, history, and personal experience—a visual echo of the diary's introspective nature. Editor: I never thought of a carriage as a stage! It gives me a new way to look at the work.