Black and Red Carp (Koi), from the Series of Five Produced by Shunman (Goban no uchi Shunman sei), with poems by Shōsōdai and Bunbunsha c. early 19th century

Editor: Here we have Kubo Shunman’s *Black and Red Carp (Koi)*. It’s a vibrant woodblock print, but there's also something melancholic about the fish, almost as if they're lost in thought. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, yes, Shunman. It's like gazing into a pond of dreams, isn't it? I see the koi, symbols of perseverance, swimming through a sea of poems. Their contrasting colours remind me of life’s delicate dance between joy and sorrow. Don’t you think it’s interesting how the poems add another layer of depth, like whispers from the past? Editor: I hadn't considered the poems as an integral part, but you're right. It's like the fish are swimming in a sea of words, adding to that melancholic mood. Curator: Exactly! It’s a reminder that art isn't just about what we see, but what we feel and interpret. Editor: Thanks, that really opened my eyes to the depth of meaning here. Curator: My pleasure. It's always a joy to wander through these waters with a fellow explorer.