A Ferry Boat on the Sumida River 

Curator: This is Keisai Eisen's "A Ferry Boat on the Sumida River." Look at how the artist captured this everyday scene. Editor: It's interesting that the figures in the boat are almost faceless, anonymous. Is the river the true subject here? The muted blues certainly set a reflective tone. Curator: Indeed. The Sumida River was a vital thoroughfare in Edo-period society. Woodblock prints like these circulated widely and promoted the area's cultural significance. Editor: And I notice the umbrellas. They appear almost like stylized suns. Given the presence of text, are they also meant as a sign of protection or status? Curator: Possibly. What’s more, they could signal a shared identity amongst the passengers, a collective experience of navigating the river's currents. Editor: It leaves me contemplating transience and the enduring presence of nature despite the comings and goings of people.