Roeiboten op de Sumida rivier in Uenopark in Tokyo, Japan before 1897

This photograph by Kazumasa Ogawa captures boats on the Sumida River, framed by cherry blossoms, around the turn of the twentieth century. The cherry blossom, or Sakura, is a potent symbol in Japanese culture, representing not just beauty, but also the ephemeral nature of life itself. Think of Botticelli's "Primavera," where flowers scatter, heralding renewal and growth. Yet, in Japanese prints and paintings, we often see Sakura as a poignant reminder of mortality—a mirror reflecting our own fleeting existence. This motif of fleeting beauty and transient joy engages viewers at a subconscious level. The blossoms invite us to contemplate our own place within the cycle of life, just as they did for Japanese society decades ago. This visual echo has resurfaced time and again, reminding us of the non-linear progression of symbols and their ever-evolving meanings.