Parody of Kanzan and Jittoku c. 1779

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print called "Parody of Kanzan and Jittoku." Note the figures, appearing as ordinary women but subtly referencing the Zen figures Kanzan and Jittoku through symbolic gestures. Kanzan holds a scroll, a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, but here, it is used as a letter. Jittoku, recognizable by his broom—traditionally a symbol of sweeping away ignorance—is a reminder of the constant need for purification and clarity in the pursuit of enlightenment. Consider how, across cultures and times, simple tools become deeply symbolic, embodying our collective desires for cleanliness. These tools and gestures serve not only as representations of religious figures but also as potent carriers of human hopes and fears. They engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level, speaking to our enduring quest for wisdom and purity. Such cultural memory highlights how symbols resurface, evolving and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.