Poet ōnakatomi no Yorimoto from page 15B of the printed book of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets" (SanjÅ«rokkasen), Kōetsu edition c. 1610

Editor: Here we have a woodblock print by Hon'ami Kōetsu, titled "Poet ōnakatomi no Yorimoto." It’s from a collection called "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets." It feels very serene, almost meditative, and the calligraphy is like a dance. What whispers to you when you look at this? Curator: Well, it’s tempting to imagine Kōetsu, brush in hand, conjuring not just a portrait, but the very essence of poetic contemplation. Notice how the lines both define and dissolve the figure, almost breathing life into the poet's spirit. The slight asymmetry pulls me in. Doesn't it feel like a collaboration across centuries? Editor: It really does. The poet, the artist, and now us! Thanks for opening my eyes to that. Curator: My pleasure!