Poem c. early 18th century

Curator: The delicacy of this fan, titled "Poem," immediately strikes me. It's such a quiet, intimate object. Editor: And an artifact, embodying the spirit of the early 18th century when Ito Togai crafted it from paper and ink. It feels almost fragile, doesn't it? Like handling a preserved breath. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the fan itself—a utilitarian object transformed into a canvas. We often overlook the inherent social dimensions, the commodification of artistry inherent in these 'everyday' items. It was surely commissioned. The creation of this Poem on a fan embodies labor and commerce, all under the umbrella of ukiyo-e practices. Editor: Exactly. The shape too - a spreading fan is a visual metaphor for expansion and opportunity. And what opportunities, what limitations were there at this intersection in early 18th century Japan, across identities, gender and race? It prompts questions around who could own such beauty, and under what conditions it was produced. It offers this intriguing duality of delicacy and constraint. Curator: It begs the question of how Itō Tōgai perceived his role in production? His choices as a materials expert of ink and paper contribute so significantly to the finished work. Did these media hold personal, political significance to him, too, beyond the sheer labor it takes to craft this? Editor: A fan in and of itself would likely be coded with social, political meanings, to communicate gendered roles and ideas of social etiquette. The artistry, in concert with that social history, elevates the function and meaning. The use of the fan as canvas prompts inquiry into the dynamics of power, and artistic agency at play here. Curator: Yes, because it isn’t only the choice of materials, but how those materials were manufactured, procured, and ultimately impacted Itō’s surrounding world that shapes the work for me. Editor: And in decoding it, perhaps we may even perceive the gentle breeze carrying this "Poem" across centuries, inviting dialogue about class, identity, and creative resilience. Curator: It is amazing how material and cultural interpretation unite here, isn't it? Together they elevate our understandings. Editor: Indeed. Every viewing is a breath of its own.