Picture Book of Selected Insects (Ehon mushi erami), vol. 2 Woodblock-printed books; ink and color on paper

Editor: This is volume two of Kitagawa Utamaro's "Picture Book of Selected Insects," from around 1799. It has a quiet, delicate feel to it. How do you interpret this work, especially the choice of insects? Curator: Insects in Japanese art often symbolize the seasons and fleeting moments of beauty, reflecting a deep connection to nature. This book employs insects as symbols, do you think they perhaps represent the ephemeral nature of life itself? Editor: That’s fascinating. The insects almost seem like portraits of the seasons. Curator: Exactly! These images capture something deeper. A cultural memory, perhaps? Editor: I see that now! The images are beautiful and evoke a sense of continuity and delicate beauty.