Courting Komachi (Kayoi Komachi), from the series Famous Scenes from Japanese Puppet Plays (Yamato irotake) Possibly 1615 - 1868

Editor: So, this woodblock print, "Courting Komachi," possibly dating between 1615 and 1868, by Okumura Masanobu, has a really interesting, almost theatrical feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Theatrical is a great observation! Ukiyo-e prints often depicted popular culture, and this scene seems to draw from a specific narrative, likely a puppet play, as the title suggests. Notice how the figures, while static, are loaded with symbolic weight. The male figure, for instance, carries a fan and what appears to be a walking stick – symbols of status, perhaps, or travel. The female figure, seemingly withdrawn, is adorned with specific motifs. How might those elements function as cultural shorthand? Editor: I guess the fan and stick signal the man's position. I hadn't really thought about the patterns as a code of sorts. What do the images *mean*? Curator: Precisely! The images carry layers of meaning for a knowing audience. The female figure's bowed head could represent humility, sorrow or contemplation; her clothing displays maple leaves and stylized swirls—each suggesting literary or courtly themes linked to the original narrative. Consider, too, the stark contrast between the active, formally-dressed male figure and the passive, downcast female; might this juxtaposition communicate something about societal expectations or gender roles? The surrounding setting itself also contributes. Editor: I didn't connect it, but the contrast makes the relationship so much more striking! Looking at everything symbolically is really different than just taking the scene at face value. Thanks. Curator: It is! The enduring power of images resides in this capacity to simultaneously reflect and shape cultural memory. I’m so glad we had this chance to reflect!