Print 1860 - 1880

This is a Triptych print by Shōsai Ikkei, a window into a moment frozen in time. At first glance, the red sky casts a surreal tone over the scene. The colour red has always evoked profound emotional responses, from passion to warning. In Japanese culture, the colour red in the sky may symbolize a range of emotions, from ominous to joyous. See how figures gaze out of the western-style building. Windows can be powerful motifs, representing transitions, thresholds, and shifting perspectives. We can trace similar architectural forms across different cultures. Note the building's brickwork. Here, the orderly design of the building contrasts with the dynamic, free-form nature of the cherry blossoms in the foreground, creating a scene of modernity and tradition. The interplay between such symbols taps into our collective consciousness, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with the past and present.