Poet Fujiwara no Motozane from page 13A of the printed book of "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets" (SanjÅ«rokkasen), Kōetsu edition c. 1610

Editor: Here we have a woodblock print from the Momoyama period by Hon'ami Kōetsu: Poet Fujiwara no Motozane. The brushstrokes seem to dance around the figure. What do you notice? Curator: The calligraphic elements surrounding the figure invite us to consider the connection between word and image. Each character carries centuries of cultural weight. Do you think the artist is using the text to tell the viewer something about the poet’s legacy? Editor: I think so! It’s like the poem itself is an aura around the figure. I never thought of calligraphy as a means to invoke memory. Curator: Exactly! And the pine tree motifs on his robe, what might they symbolize about the man's enduring spirit? Food for thought. Editor: This makes me want to learn more about the poems and the symbolism embedded within the image.