The Syllable Ra, Tsukudo, from the series Courtesans for Compass Points in Edo (Keisei Edo hōkaku) 

Editor: This is "The Syllable Ra, Tsukudo, from the series Courtesans for Compass Points in Edo" by Keisai Eisen. I’m really drawn to the intricate patterns on her kimono, but I'm not sure what to make of the scene in the upper right. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The frame around that scene suggests a symbolic window. Note how the torii gate, a sacred marker, leads the eye into the distance. It's a portal to a specific shrine, Akagi, and by extension, to the cultural and spiritual geography of Edo. Editor: So, it's more than just a pretty backdrop? Curator: Precisely. The series ties the courtesans to specific locations, imbuing them with associations of place and cultural memory. The "Ra" syllable itself could carry symbolic weight. What feelings does it evoke for you? Editor: I see, it’s like each courtesan embodies a compass point. Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.