Poem by Sangi Takamura (Ono no Takamura), from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki) c. 1835 - 1836

Editor: Hokusai’s "Poem by Sangi Takamura" presents such a dynamic scene, with figures both on land and struggling in the water. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The turbulent sea and the scattered figures evoke a potent sense of chaos. Note how Hokusai uses the symbols of the sea – traditionally associated with purification but here with danger – to mirror the internal struggles of Ono no Takamura, perhaps? How do you read the figures emerging from the water? Editor: It could suggest a transition, but also a loss of control. I hadn't considered the poem's relation to these symbols. Curator: Precisely! Hokusai intertwines cultural memory with a visceral depiction of human vulnerability. The image becomes a powerful reminder of the artist's ability to capture the emotional weight of cultural symbols. Editor: Seeing it that way helps me appreciate the depth beyond the immediate narrative. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s always enriching to unravel how artists imbue images with enduring meaning.