Sei Shōnagon, from the series A True Mirror of Chinese and Japanese Poetry (Shika shashin kyō) c. 1833

Editor: This is Hokusai's "Sei Shōnagon," part of the "True Mirror of Chinese and Japanese Poetry" series. The composition is surprising—a man in a tree, figures peeking… it feels a bit like eavesdropping. What's your read on it? Curator: It’s Hokusai being Hokusai, playful and profound! The figures below, with their exaggerated expressions and furtive gestures, are wonderful. The tree serves as a visual bridge, but also a barrier, doesn't it? I think it captures the humor and cleverness Sei Shōnagon was known for. Editor: So, you're seeing a connection between the visual humor and her literary wit? Curator: Precisely! It’s a reminder that art, like poetry, can be both beautiful and brilliantly mischievous. A mirror reflecting not just image, but spirit. Editor: That makes me see it in a completely different light. Thanks!