Untitled (woman playing a koto) c. 1887

Curator: This is Adolfo Farsari's "Untitled (woman playing a koto)." Though undated, it provides a window into Meiji-era Japan. Editor: I'm immediately struck by the stillness and composure. Everything about this image exudes a sense of refined poise. Curator: Indeed. These hand-colored albumen prints were often staged, intended for Western audiences, contributing to both fascination and orientalist perspectives. Editor: Absolutely. The koto itself is rich in symbolism – the thirteen strings often representing different regions or aspects of Japanese culture. Notice the placement—a visual anchor in the composition. Curator: It is an interesting tension, isn't it? The koto, traditionally a symbol of national identity, presented through a colonial gaze. Editor: It speaks volumes about the complex interplay of representation and appropriation during that period. There is a haunting beauty. Curator: Precisely. Recognizing that tension gives us a deeper engagement with works such as these.