Women Gathering Shells at the Beach 

Editor: Here we have Kikugawa Eizan’s *Women Gathering Shells at the Beach*, date unknown. It's a vertical print of women wading in the surf, and the whole scene feels so delicate. What stands out to you in this work? Curator: The shells they gather are not just objects; they are symbols of fertility and good fortune deeply woven into the cultural tapestry of the time. Consider how the sea itself acts as a potent symbol of renewal and the cyclical nature of life. Do you see how their activity connects them to these ancient, resonant themes? Editor: That makes me see the women less as figures and more as participants in an ongoing, almost timeless, ritual. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, and their presence reminds us of the enduring human connection to both nature and tradition.