Pair of Kadomatsu (pine decorations) 1797

Kubo Shunman created this woodblock print, "Pair of Kadomatsu (pine decorations)," in Japan, where it now resides in the Metropolitan Museum. The image depicts Kadomatsu, traditional Japanese New Year decorations often placed in pairs at the entrance of homes to welcome ancestral spirits and deities believed to bring good fortune. Pine, bamboo, and plum, the "Three Friends of Winter," are frequently used. The pine symbolizes longevity and steadfastness, its evergreen nature promising enduring vitality. We see these themes echoing across cultures, from ancient Roman wreaths symbolizing eternal life to the Christmas tree traditions of Germanic origin. This impulse to ward off winter's darkness, to beckon spring's rebirth, is a recurring motif in the human psyche. Perhaps it is a deep-seated response to the primal rhythms of nature—a visual charm against the ephemerality of life itself.