Young Men of Fashion - A Set of Three (Wakashu sanpukutsui) c. early 1750s

This 18th-century woodblock print by Ishikawa Toyonobu captures three young men of fashion, or *wakashu*, adorned in patterned robes. Note the prominence of the sword. Historically, the sword symbolizes the samurai class, but here, it’s a fashion statement, a marker of youthful bravado. This echoes classical antiquity, where the sword denoted power and status. The *wakashu* presenting the sword carry echoes of the classical hero, yet here, it’s transformed, softened by the aesthetics of leisure. Consider also the androgynous appearance of these figures. Their ambiguous gender identity challenges conventional norms. This androgyny mirrors depictions of deities in various cultures, such as the Hindu Ardhanarishvara, a combined male-female form of Shiva and Parvati, representing the harmonization of opposites. Such visual echoes invite us to contemplate how symbols evolve, reflecting shifting cultural values and subconscious desires.