Musical Instruments/ Horse's Tail (Uma no su), from the series A Selection of Horses (Umazukushi), with poems by Shinsokutei Kashimasu, ShÅ«chōdō Monoyana and Shinratei Banshō Possibly 1822

Curator: Here we have "Musical Instruments/ Horse's Tail (Uma no su)," a captivating woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai from his "A Selection of Horses (Umazukushi)" series. Editor: It’s so quiet, almost meditative. The soft colors and detailed rendering of these instruments give the feeling of a hushed, private space. Curator: The print is part of a larger series exploring horses, though this piece focuses on objects associated with them, blurring the lines between the animal and its cultural context. Editor: It makes me wonder about the poems included, what stories they tell, and what they might reveal about Hokusai's view of horses. Are they about honor, burden, or perhaps the fleeting nature of beauty? Curator: Perhaps all of those things. Hokusai was deeply interested in the performative aspects of image making, using popular subjects to explore the relationship between the upper classes and their horses. Editor: So, it’s not just a simple depiction, but a subtle commentary on the lives and values of the elite. It makes you consider what we choose to display and how others might interpret it.