First Love (Hatsu koi), a parody of the well-curb episode of the "Tales of Ise" c. 1766 - 1767

Suzuki Harunobu created this woodblock print, "First Love," now at the Art Institute of Chicago. The composition arranges two figures around a well, dominated by muted, earthy tones contrasted by the stark geometry of the well's structure. This immediately draws our eye, creating a sense of depth and enclosure. The figures, rendered with delicate lines and subtle color variations, are positioned in a manner that echoes the narrative theme. The woman leaning towards the well, her posture suggesting longing, is visually linked to the water, traditionally symbolic of reflection and the unconscious. Meanwhile, the second figure, positioned further back, seems more distant, less engaged. Harunobu masterfully destabilizes traditional ukiyo-e conventions through his subtle use of perspective and color. By parodizing a scene from "Tales of Ise," he also invites us to question established cultural narratives around love and desire. Ultimately, the print functions as a semiotic puzzle, urging viewers to decode its visual cues. This process underscores that art is not fixed, but rather a dynamic interplay of signs and interpretations.