“Desk with Writing Set and Plum Flowers,” from the series Ise Calendars for the Asakusa Group (Asakusa-gawa Ise goyomi) From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2 1814

Editor: Here we have Kubo Shunman's woodblock print, “Desk with Writing Set and Plum Flowers,” from 1814. I find the arrangement of the objects quite charming, like a little stage setting. It feels both meticulously arranged and somehow casual, maybe even intimate. What do you make of it? Curator: Intimate is the word, I think! The artist invites us into a private space. The scattered writing tools and blossoming plum suggest a moment of creative contemplation. Imagine the artist, perhaps just having paused in their work to gaze at the plum blossoms— a fleeting inspiration! It makes me wonder about their thoughts at that moment. Do you see how the calligraphy echoes the delicate branches of the flowers, intertwining words and nature? Editor: Yes, I do. It’s almost as if the writing and the plum blossoms are having a conversation with each other. Do you think that the artist's including the calendar aspect was something that happened often, a way for an artist to insert their lives and marketability in more functional art? Curator: Precisely! That commercial integration allowed artists to infuse everyday life with a heightened aesthetic awareness. It was a savvy move that speaks volumes about their understanding of their audience. The very essence of *ukiyo-e* (pictures of the floating world) hinges on that intersection of art and everyday life. It served a deeper purpose than commerce: democratizing art and integrating it seamlessly into people’s lives. Editor: So, the art becomes part of life, and life becomes the art? Curator: Exactly. Now, do you think this print reflects Shunman’s life, or do you see yourself in his artwork and working tools? Editor: Oh wow, I see that. Both the print, his life, and all those that observe his prints are, in essence, linked by our shared desire to feel at one with the art piece! Thanks, I see this piece and Japanese woodblock print art with new eyes!