Rustende mannen c. 1870 - 1880

This woodblock print, made by Kawanabe Kyōsai, features a series of resting men in various states of repose. The male figures are presented with a pronounced phallus, an ancient symbol of fertility and potency found across cultures, from the Greek god Priapus to the Shinto fertility festivals of Japan. Consider the recurrence of this motif; it transcends mere biological function, acting as a potent carrier of cultural memory. In ancient Rome, phallic amulets were worn for protection, while in other contexts, the exaggerated male form symbolizes life-force and regeneration. Its presence here reflects a deeper, subconscious connection to primal energies and communal ideals. The symbol, in a psychoanalytic sense, can evoke powerful reactions tied to creation, anxiety, and desire. This woodblock is not just a portrayal of rest, but an engagement with profound emotional undercurrents. The symbol of the phallus, with its ever-shifting and resurfacing symbolism, continues to echo through our collective consciousness, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human experience.