Women and Children on the Causeway at Shinobazu Pond c. 1788

This polychrome woodblock print, made by Torii Kiyonaga, captures a serene scene of women and children on a causeway at Shinobazu Pond. The cherry blossoms overhead, symbols of ephemeral beauty and renewal, contrast with the enduring stone lantern and the sturdy bridge. Notice the turtles in the pond. In many cultures, including Japanese, turtles represent longevity, endurance, and the connection between heaven and earth. These creatures, often overlooked, carry a profound symbolic weight, much like the recurring motifs we find across different eras and geographies. Consider how the turtle appears in ancient Greek myths, associated with Aphrodite, or in indigenous American traditions as a symbol of Mother Earth. Its reappearance speaks to a collective consciousness. The image engages us on a subconscious level, evoking feelings of tranquility and contemplation. The cyclical nature of the seasons, mirrored in the turtles’ unhurried existence, reminds us of the perpetual dance of life and death. Like the cherry blossoms that bloom briefly each year, the symbolic power of the turtle resurfaces, evolving and adapting to new cultural landscapes.