Ferry Boat and Capital Birds on the Sumida River/The Capital Shell (Miyakogai), from the series Shell-Matching Game with Genroku Poets (Genroku kasen kai-awase) Possibly 1821

Curator: This is Katsushika Hokusai's woodblock print, "Ferry Boat and Capital Birds on the Sumida River," from his series "Shell-Matching Game with Genroku Poets." Editor: It's fascinating how Hokusai captures this fleeting moment—the boat gliding along, the figures huddled together. You can almost feel the motion. Curator: This print reflects the cultural significance of river travel in Edo-period Japan, where waterways were essential for commerce and leisure. Notice the plum blossoms. Editor: And the labor involved in pushing the boat. The materials used to create these colors must have been quite extensive. Curator: The series connects poetry and nature to themes of love and longing, mirroring the refined tastes of the Genroku era. Editor: It really does make you consider how much work went into creating each impression, and what the print might have meant to its original audience. Curator: Indeed, a glimpse into a vibrant cultural tapestry. Editor: A testament to the artistic process and the social conditions in which the work was made.