Three Women in Tea House c. 18th century

Curator: This is Kitagawa Tsukimaro's woodblock print, "Three Women in Tea House." Tsukimaro was active in the early 19th century. It's now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels like a quiet moment, almost secretive. The women are all very focused. I'm drawn to the intricate patterns of their kimonos. Curator: The tea house was a central space in the Edo period for social gatherings, but also a place where the floating world intersected with commerce and politics. Editor: Ah, so not just a place for tea and gossip! The women have a sense of composure. I wonder what they are thinking. Curator: Their attire indicates they were likely courtesans, so the print speaks to the blurred lines between entertainment, artistic expression, and societal expectations in that era. Editor: I keep coming back to the fan in the upper corner of the composition and the way they are all positioned. It makes for an alluring composition. Curator: Studying this allows us to consider the lives of women and their socio-economic roles in the broader cultural context of the time. Editor: It definitely brings forth a hushed intimacy, making me want to create a musical piece that embodies the image's allure and mystery.