The Cicada Shell (Utsusemi), Calligraphic Excerpt from Chapter 3 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Editor: This calligraphic excerpt, "The Cicada Shell," from the Tale of Genji, is attributed to Sanjōnishi Sanetaka. The inky black characters dance on a warm, textured surface. How do you interpret the artist’s choice to capture this particular passage? Curator: It’s a fleeting moment suspended in time, isn't it? The "Cicada Shell" chapter speaks of illusions and ephemeral beauty. Sanetaka's brushwork seems to mimic that very transience. Notice how some strokes are bold, confident, while others fade, almost disappearing. Editor: I see what you mean! There's a sense of fragility, like the cicada shell itself. Curator: Exactly! The beauty lies not just in the legibility of the text, but in the emotional weight carried by the brush. It's a quiet meditation on impermanence. What do you take away? Editor: I guess that even something as simple as calligraphy can be a profound way of reflecting on life and death. Curator: Indeed. It shows us that sometimes the most profound beauty lies in the most subtle expressions.