Preparing the Seven-herb Rice Porridge c. 1796

Editor: So, this is "Preparing the Seven-herb Rice Porridge," a watercolor on paper by Kubo Shunman, around 1796. It’s part of the Ukiyo-e tradition and feels very delicate. There’s a solitary figure, some lovely calligraphy… It gives me this sense of peacefulness, almost like a haiku. What jumps out at you when you see this? Curator: That sense of quiet is spot on, I think. It whispers rather than shouts, doesn't it? For me, it’s the blend of the everyday—preparing a simple meal—with this elegant aesthetic. Shunman’s got this incredible skill for elevating the mundane, making it almost meditative. Do you notice the red seal and how it is intentionally placed in balance to the sun. Editor: It is all carefully considered, I love that you mentioned that. The porridge preparation and sun are not on top of each other, it’s the empty space that makes all the difference, maybe the negative space around the calligraphy, too? It draws your eye around. Curator: Precisely! And that brings us to the text – it’s more than just decoration. Ukiyo-e prints like this are so often collaborations, between the artist and the poet-calligrapher, who adds another layer of meaning. It seems the verse connects directly to the themes of the seven herbs rice porridge custom, practiced on January 7, which wishes longevity for everyone eating it. The porridge with seven herbs offers the body resting during the New Year’s holiday the necessary nutrients. See how something as seemingly simple and gentle can actually have such layers of context. Editor: Wow, I never would have gotten all of that from just looking. The poem actually adds so much context and depth, making the scene much more rich than just some lady preparing dinner, you know? Curator: Absolutely! And that’s what’s so wonderful about art, isn’t it? How it can continuously unfold and reveal new stories, new perspectives. Editor: For sure, I am really thankful you mentioned that, all the components, it really enhances it as a whole.