URAURA TAIRYO NO SU c. 19th century

Curator: This woodblock print, attributed to Utagawa Hiroshige, is entitled "URAURA TAIRYO NO SU" and is located at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as a study in contrasts—the still, almost ethereal sky meeting the textured agitation of the water. Curator: Notice how the boats are depicted, laden with what appears to be a plentiful catch; in Japanese art, fish are potent symbols of prosperity and good fortune. Editor: The strong horizontality of the composition, with its stacked layers, creates a sense of depth despite the flatness inherent in the medium. Curator: Absolutely, and below, we see figures on the shore, their labor connected, quite literally, by the lines they haul, perhaps nets—illustrating the community's dependence on the sea's bounty. Editor: I find the limited palette particularly effective. The blues and reds, subtly graded, unify the scene while drawing attention to key narrative elements. It is quite compelling. Curator: Indeed, a glimpse into a world where survival and symbolism are deeply intertwined. Editor: A world captured beautifully through line and color.