General Hu Zhuoyan (Ko Enshaku) Holding a Chinese Zither, fifth from the series Five Intrepid Generals of the Tale of the Water Margins (Suikoden go koshōgun), with poems by Funenoya Tsunabito and Nenneisai Inaba c. 1828

Curator: Yashima Gakutei's woodblock print presents General Hu Zhuoyan, or Ko Enshaku, one of the Five Intrepid Generals from the Tale of the Water Margins. Note how this print on paper is currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has such a placid atmosphere, considering it depicts a military figure. The muted palette and the General’s relaxed posture create an interesting contrast. Curator: Indeed, the composition positions him almost regally, doesn't it? The intricate patterns on his robe, the zither in hand, and the halberd behind suggest layers of identity beyond just a warrior. Editor: I see the halberd as a symbol of power, but also of the societal structures and conflicts that define his role. His identity seems to be interwoven with both the arts and the violence of his time. Curator: Precisely. The poems inscribed alongside the image further enrich this complexity. Editor: It’s a striking portrayal, inviting us to consider the multifaceted nature of historical figures and their relationship to the larger sociopolitical environment.