Dōgashima, from the series Seven Noted Hot Springs in Hakone (Hakone shichi to meisho) Possibly 1780

Curator: This is Torii Kiyonaga's "Dōgashima", from his series, "Seven Noted Hot Springs in Hakone." Kiyonaga was born in 1752 and died in 1815. Editor: The women seem utterly unbothered, a serene scene. The bridge is this lovely vermillion, juxtaposed against the pale wash of their kimonos. Curator: Look at the texture Kiyonaga achieves! The paper itself has a palpable presence. You can almost feel the woodblocks pressing ink into the fibers. Editor: The whole act of consuming tea, usually an act of refinement, rendered as labour? It’s about the social practice, the means by which leisure is achieved. Curator: Yes, and Kiyonaga elevates these women. Are they workers, are they patrons? The liminal space offers a moment of calm reflection. Editor: A fascinating dialogue between the individual and the broader societal mechanics at play. Curator: An enduring snapshot, indeed, offering a small window into another world.