from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden" 

Curator: Here we have a page from "Kacho Gaden," or "Bird and Flower Pictures," by Katsushika Taito II, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, how lovely! It feels so delicate, almost like a faded memory. The two birds among the branches have a quiet stillness. Curator: The woodblock print medium allowed for multiple impressions, making art more accessible to a wider audience, reflecting changing social dynamics. Editor: I can almost feel the texture of the paper and the faint scent of ink! Do you think the artist intended some symbolism with these birds? Curator: Perhaps. Bird and flower imagery in Japan was tied to seasonal and poetic associations, linked to the cycle of production and consumption. Editor: Either way, it’s a charming glimpse into another time and culture, isn’t it? Curator: Indeed. It highlights the means by which artistic knowledge and appreciation were disseminated in that era.