Courtisane uit het Ebiya huis before 1814

Kikugawa Eizan created this woodblock print of a courtesan from the Ebiya house, capturing her elegance and status with a sophisticated style. The fish motif adorning the courtesan's kimono isn’t merely decorative; it represents prosperity and good fortune. Consider the recurring symbol of the fish, a visual echo resonating through time, found even in ancient Roman mosaics, symbolizing abundance and divine blessings. Yet, in Christian catacombs, the fish, or "ichthys," became a coded symbol of faith amidst persecution. The fish, in a sense, transcends cultures, embodying hope and transformation, each society reinterpreting its significance. The image, laden with cultural memory, speaks to a collective unconscious, its symbolism triggering deep-seated emotions and associations that engage us on a profoundly human level. The fish motif, like a migrating soul, reappears, evolves, and embodies new meanings across different eras, demonstrating the enduring power of symbols to shape our understanding and stir our emotions.