Young Woman Tying Obi Beside Bamboo Bench (Reworked Calendar Print E-goyomi) Possibly 1765

Curator: Here we have Suzuki Harunobu's "Young Woman Tying Obi Beside Bamboo Bench," a reworked calendar print, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The muted palette gives it such a serene feeling, doesn’t it? The scene feels so intimate and domestic. Curator: It's a fine example of *egoyomi*, or picture calendars. The prints incorporated the lunar calendar symbols, cleverly hidden within the design, catered to a specific cultural demand in Edo-period Japan. Editor: The attention to detail, especially in the obi's textile patterns, is remarkable. You can almost feel the texture of the silk and the bamboo beneath her feet. I wonder about the woodblock carving process and the labor involved in producing these prints. Curator: The production of these prints reflects the cultural and economic prosperity of the era and the rising merchant class who fueled the demand for art that reflected their aspirations and tastes. Editor: It does make you think about who was able to afford these beautiful objects and who was making them. Curator: Exactly. Harunobu was creating more than just art; he was participating in a whole social and economic phenomenon. Editor: Reflecting on the materials and the context certainly gives me a fuller appreciation. Curator: Indeed, it all enriches our understanding.