Battle Crossing of the Sumidagawa (Sumidagawa ikada watashi no zu) c. late 19th century

Curator: This print, held at the Harvard Art Museums, is Utagawa Kuniyoshi's "Battle Crossing of the Sumidagawa." It presents a scene of warriors on what looks like a makeshift raft, moving across a body of water. Editor: My first impression is one of controlled chaos. The figures are densely packed, yet each seems to be acting with urgency and purpose. The colors are muted but intense. Curator: Exactly. The Sumida River holds deep cultural significance in Japanese history and literature, often symbolizing transition and the passage of time. Kuniyoshi uses this setting to amplify the drama of the battle. Editor: The figures, though, are not generalized representations. The artist's rendering of individual expressions and postures invites empathy, portraying them as both warriors and vulnerable human beings, swept up in the currents of history. Curator: Indeed. Kuniyoshi, working in the late Edo period, was known for his dynamic compositions and his ability to capture movement and emotion. This print is a testament to that skill. Editor: Reflecting on this piece, one realizes that Kuniyoshi’s work isn’t just about historical events; it shows how such events imprint on individual lives. Curator: I agree. The artwork makes us contemplate on the cultural memory, carried forward, in symbols and stories, from the past.