Poet Ise (?-c.939) from page 10B of the printed book of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets" (SanjÅ«rokkasen), Kōetsu edition c. 1610

Curator: This is a page from the Kōetsu edition of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets," featuring Poet Ise, with calligraphy by Hon'ami Kōetsu from the Momoyama period. Editor: It's striking how the poet's figure seems almost swallowed by the elaborate patterning of her robes and the bordering elements. It gives a sense of both importance and constraint. Curator: Indeed. The visual weight of the textile patterns—the layered geometric shapes—contrasts with the delicate, fluid lines of the calligraphy above. Do you find a relationship? Editor: The calligraphy speaks to the ephemeral nature of poetry and memory. The geometric, on the other hand, grounds the figure, rooting Ise within the enduring framework of courtly tradition and the cultural canon. Curator: It's a fascinating tension. The artist balances the freedom of expression inherent in the calligraphy with the more rigid, symbolic language of the patterns. Editor: Considering the role of Poet Ise within literary history, it is a powerful meditation on how we both commemorate and confine figures of cultural importance. Curator: Yes, an eloquent rendering of remembrance through form. Editor: Precisely, and a reminder of the enduring power of visual language.