Courtier and Lady with a Young Woman Poling a Boat 1796

Kubo Shunman created this print depicting a courtier and lady with a young woman poling a boat. The motif of the boat carries significant cultural weight, representing a journey across water, a symbol of transition and passage. The subtle use of water scenes evokes a sense of emotional depth. Water signifies life and purity, as well as the subconscious. Think of other artworks across time and place that similarly employ a boat scene—the “Ship of Fools” by Bosch, or Delacroix’s “The Barque of Dante.” The boat carries a similar motif of exploration or an emotional or psychological journey. This symbol evolves through shifting cultural contexts, reflecting humanity’s deep and continual fascination with the subconscious.