Harugoma (Spring hobbyhorse dance) 1743 - 1812

Curator: This print by Katsukawa Shunkō is titled "Harugoma," or "Spring Hobbyhorse Dance," and it’s part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like a fleeting dream, this image. The colors are so gentle, and the figure seems almost weightless, floating on a bed of green. Curator: Indeed. Shunkō was part of the Katsukawa school, known for their depictions of actors, but here he captures a more intimate scene. The woman's posture suggests a ritual dance, maybe a prayer for spring. Editor: The hobbyhorse is such an intriguing element. It makes me wonder about the blurring of reality and performance—a reminder that life itself can be a stage. Perhaps she's dancing to summon a change of season, or even a change of heart. Curator: Or to entertain, a commissioned piece reflecting popular culture. The floating world loved to see itself mirrored back with grace. Editor: Ultimately, it captures something universal, doesn't it? That wistful longing for beauty, for something just out of reach. Curator: Yes, and the performance of gender through art. A dance frozen in time.