Urashima Tarō and the Tortoise, from the series Five Pictures of Symbols of Longevity (Kotobuki goban no uchi) c. 1823 - 1826

Curator: This is Yanagawa Shigenobu's "Urashima Taro and the Tortoise" from the series "Five Pictures of Symbols of Longevity," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so peaceful, like a forgotten dream on the edge of the world! I love the soft blues of the water crashing against the rocks where Urashima sleeps. Curator: The narrative speaks volumes about time and transformation. Urashima's story intersects with themes of escapism and the allure of the unknown. Editor: Absolutely. The colors are so muted, yet the details of the waves and the sleeping figure are captivating, it pulls me right in, a reminder of the stories we tell ourselves. Curator: The depiction of Urashima, dozing peacefully upon the rock, highlights his disconnection from ordinary time. It’s all wrapped up in themes of aging, regret, and consequence. Editor: I can see that, definitely a wistful feeling. I suppose stories like these keep us grounded, prompting us to ponder our place within a greater scheme of things.