Peacock and Peony, from the series Seven Bird-and-Flower Prints for the Fuyōren of Kanuma in Shimotsuke Province (Yamagawa Shimotsuke Kanuma Fuyō-ren kachō shichi-ban tsuzuki no uchi) c. 1810

Curator: This is Kubo Shunman’s “Peacock and Peony,” a delicate woodblock print. Look at how the peacock isn’t just a bird, but a symbol of beauty and status, its plumage practically vibrating with coded meaning. Editor: It’s interesting how the peacock and peony seem to interact, almost as if performing for each other. What do you see in this pairing? Curator: The peacock struts amid peonies, emblems of wealth and honor. What memories might these symbols conjure for the Fuyōren poetry circle? Wealth, yes, but also perhaps a fleeting glimpse of paradise. Editor: So, it’s about more than just decorative beauty; it's a reflection on cultural values. Curator: Precisely. By understanding these visual motifs, we unlock the cultural memory embedded within. Editor: It’s fascinating how a simple image can carry so much meaning. I'll never look at peacocks the same way!