Woman Holding the Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no en) Volume of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)/ Books (Bunsho), from the series Seven Designs for the Katsushika Circle (Katsushika shichiban tsuzuki), with poems by Rokuzōtei Hōba and Bungaen Tomom c. 1826

Curator: This is Yashima Gakutei’s woodblock print, "Woman Holding the Under the Cherry Blossoms Volume of the Tale of Genji." Editor: She’s so poised, isn't she? There's a quiet intimacy to the scene... you can almost feel the cool smoothness of the paper she’s holding. Curator: Gakutei was part of the Katsushika Circle, deeply influenced by Hokusai. The print combines image and text, poems by Rokuzōtei Hōba and Bungaen Tomom. Editor: I love how the cherry blossom pattern on her robe echoes the title—it's subtle, not overly literal. Curator: It speaks to the sophistication of Edo-period culture, where literary references were skillfully woven into everyday objects. Editor: Indeed! I find it strangely comforting—this delicate balance of art, poetry, and the simple act of reading. Curator: This image, like the Tale of Genji itself, provides a glimpse into a world where aesthetics and emotions intertwine. Editor: Yes, a world I wouldn’t mind stepping into, if only for an afternoon.