Orchids, with poem by Ichijian Kigyoku c. 1804 - 1812

Curator: This small print, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, is titled "Orchids, with poem by Ichijian Kigyoku," attributed to Kubo Shunman who lived between 1757 and 1820. Editor: It feels like a breath, doesn't it? A quiet moment captured. The soft colors, the way the lines are so deliberately placed—it's meditative. Curator: Indeed. Note how Shunman employs the subtle gradations of color to define form, a key element within the ukiyo-e tradition. The poem is integral; it’s not merely decorative. Editor: Right, the script itself becomes part of the composition, like another delicate stem reaching up. It makes me wonder what the poem says. Curator: The text is a collaborative addition, offering commentary, perhaps adding layers of symbolism that enriches our reading of the floral motif. Editor: It's a conversation, really. Between the artist, the poet, and, now, us. I feel grounded, but also uplifted. Curator: I agree. A remarkable piece. It makes one consider the delicate interplay of image and text, line and form. Editor: It makes me want to write poetry.