Bird Competition (Tori-awasebara), from the series Chronicles of Kamakura (Kamakura shi) c. 1813

Editor: Here we have "Bird Competition" by Kubo Shunman, part of the "Chronicles of Kamakura." It's a woodblock print of a rooster with calligraphy alongside it. I find it charming but also a little strange. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, Shunman! He captures the spirit of Edo-period whimsy. The rooster, bold and proud, isn't just a bird; it’s a symbol, perhaps of courage or even a bit of playful arrogance. Notice the calligraphy, likely a poem adding layers of meaning. I wonder if the poem is taunting the rooster in the print. Editor: That's interesting. It definitely adds another dimension to the image. Curator: Exactly! It reminds us that art isn't just about what we see, but also about the stories and ideas woven into it. Who knew a rooster could be so…philosophical?