Woman Playing KyokÅ«, Number Three (Sono san) from the series Three Musical Instruments (Sankyoku) c. 1822

Curator: Yashima Gakutei, active in the first half of the 19th century, is the artist behind this print titled "Woman Playing Kyokū, Number Three" from the series "Three Musical Instruments," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It evokes such a serene, contemplative mood. The subdued colors and the woman's downcast gaze really draw you into her private world. Curator: The Kyokū, a plucked lute-like instrument, creates a meditative atmosphere often associated with the samurai class; these instruments were embraced by the literati circles of the Edo period as well. Editor: Interesting. I wonder how Gakutei’s depiction of a musical woman reflects the evolving role of women in the increasingly complex socio-cultural landscape of 19th-century Japan. Her presence here suggests the social status of women playing musical instruments. Curator: Note how the artist integrates text and image; it alludes to the cultural value placed on harmonizing sensory experiences, such as visual and auditory perceptions. Editor: That interplay is really lovely. Seeing the print alongside those thoughts makes me reflect on the power of art to connect us to past experiences.