Jonge vrouw in boot 1800 - 1802

Utagawa Toyokuni I created this woodblock print of a young woman in a boat during the Edo period. Here, the oar takes center stage, more than a mere tool, it's a symbol of navigation through life's turbulent waters. Consider how the oar appears across cultures – from the Greek myth of Charon ferrying souls across the river Styx, to the Viking's longboats. It's not just about physical movement, but spiritual passage too. In ancient Egypt, the solar barque was an essential symbol for resurrection. In this print, the oar in the woman's hands evokes a deeper emotional current. The slight bow of her head, the gentle waves, all convey a sense of melancholy. The image resonates with a collective memory of journeys, of departures and arrivals. The oar's cyclical motion reminds us of the recurring patterns of human experience, of the ebb and flow of emotions that resonate across time.