Right-Poem Washing c. mid 18th century

Editor: So this woodblock print, "Right-Poem Washing," dates back to the mid-18th century and is the work of Okumura Masanobu. The figure almost floats on the surface, with that flat plane behind her. It's very decorative, and the colour is so subtle, a touch muted, almost dreamlike. What stands out to you most about this piece? Curator: Dreamlike is a beautiful way to put it. For me, it's the interplay between the real and the represented. Look at the woman; she’s framed by the most basic lines, and yet the folds of her kimono seem to flow from the picture. Then, consider the fan above her – an image within an image, an almost tongue-in-cheek gesture that invites us to contemplate how stories and representations unfold. Have you ever felt that tension when you look at a work of art? It’s as if it both invites you in and pushes you away. Editor: I think I get what you mean. Like it’s there, but also not quite real? Curator: Precisely! It’s like trying to grasp a cloud – the beauty is evident, but the substance…elusive. Ukiyo-e prints, in particular, thrived on capturing that ephemeral quality of life. I wonder, does knowing it's from the Ukiyo-e tradition change how you feel about that dreamlike quality? Editor: That makes sense. It's capturing a moment, so of course it feels fleeting. Curator: It's as though Masanobu encourages us to seek meaning in those transient moments of everyday beauty, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Yes, definitely. Now I see the scene as very calming; she just happens to be doing the washing. It isn't overly laboured or anything like that. Curator: Beautiful. These glimpses can lead us to profound meditations. It shows that beauty, poetry and reflection are to be found in the everyday.