Morning Glory 1807 - 1868

Shibata Zeshin rendered this image of ‘Morning Glory’ using ink and color on paper. The morning glory, or asagao, is a poignant emblem in Japanese art, symbolizing transience and the fleeting beauty of life, which aligns with the wider concept of 'mono no aware'—the pathos of things. The tendrils, reaching and curling, recall the serpentine forms found in ancient Minoan art, where snakes embody regeneration and transformation. Here, the tendrils speak to a similar life force, an urgent striving towards the sun. This motif transcends geographical boundaries, echoing in the swirling patterns of Baroque art, expressing dynamism. Consider the flower itself: its delicate form, open to the dawn, invites reflection on our brief existence, a constant reminder of life’s ephemeral nature. Like the vanitas paintings of the Dutch Golden Age, the morning glory whispers, "Remember, you must change; you must pass." This symbol resonates through time, urging us to contemplate the cyclical nature of existence.