Acteur Mimasu Daigoro IV in de rol van Gojogun Kanki 1865

This woodblock print depicts the actor Mimasu Daigoro IV as Gojogun Kanki and was created by Utagawa Yoshitaki. Here, dragons adorn the actor’s robe, symbols deeply rooted in Asian mythology, representing power, wisdom, and good fortune. These serpentine figures, with their sinuous bodies and grasping claws, echo the ancient Mesopotamian dragon-gods, who symbolized primordial chaos and potent natural forces. Centuries later, we see their descendants in Chinese imperial art, emblems of the emperor’s divine authority. The dragon, a figure that has traversed continents and millennia, continues to evolve, adapting to new cultural landscapes. The dragon embodies a potent, subconscious allure, reflecting our innate fascination with the untamed forces of nature and the mysteries of the deep. This image serves as a reminder of the enduring power of symbols, and how they connect us to a shared, collective memory that transcends time and space.