Looking as if she wants to change - The appearance of a proprietress of the Kaei era 1888

This print, by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, captures a moment of quiet contemplation of a woman from the Kaei era. Notice how she delicately holds a small potted plant, drawing our eye to the art of cultivation. Flowers here transcend mere decoration, evolving into powerful symbols of fleeting beauty and the cyclical nature of life. Think of Botticelli's Primavera, where flowers burst forth, embodying renewal and the ephemeral quality of existence. But, the image of a woman carefully tending to a plant also harkens back to ancient fertility rituals, where growth and nurture were central to cultural practices. The act of caring for a plant carries a subconscious weight, reflecting our primal connection to the earth and the rhythms of nature. In the woman’s gentle gaze, we see not just an appreciation for beauty, but a deeper emotional resonance with the life force she holds in her hands. The same impulse transcends time, manifesting in different forms across cultures.