from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden" 

Editor: Here we have "Kacho Gaden" by Katsushika Taito II, a page from an illustrated book. It shows two owls surrounded by smaller birds. I'm struck by how the owls seem to be both observing and being observed. What story do you think this image is telling? Curator: Think about the historical context. Japanese art often uses birds and flowers—Kacho—to symbolize seasons and emotions. The owls, typically symbols of wisdom, are juxtaposed with smaller birds. Could this represent a challenge to established power structures, or perhaps the vulnerability of wisdom in the face of the everyday? Editor: So the owls might not just be wise figures, but figures in a specific societal role? Curator: Exactly. This image invites us to consider how roles are assigned, and who gets to define wisdom. How does that reading affect your initial impression? Editor: It makes me see the tension in the image. Thanks, that’s a fascinating perspective.