OHARAME AND OX 

Curator: Here we have Keisai Eisen's "Oharame and Ox." Eisen, who lived from 1790 to 1848, captured a moment of rural life. Editor: She looks exhausted! It’s that slight slump of her shoulders, and the way the ox seems to be mirroring her weariness. Curator: These Oharame women were vital to the economy of Kyoto, carrying firewood and goods from the countryside to the city markets. The print romanticizes, perhaps, a very harsh reality. Editor: But it's also a tender portrait. The cool blues of her robe against the ox's black hide—there's a quiet dignity in their shared burden. Curator: Absolutely. Eisen's woodblock prints offer a valuable glimpse into the socio-economic fabric of his time. Editor: I'm left contemplating the strength and resilience found in the everyday.