Dekishima Hanya Seated on a Cherry Tree 1695 - 1715

This woodblock print was created by Torii Kiyonobu I, and depicts Dekishima Hanya seated on a cherry tree. Dominating the image is the cherry blossom, or sakura, a symbol deeply embedded in Japanese culture. It represents the ephemeral nature of life, beauty, and mortality. Notice how the blossom motif reappears throughout history, not unlike Botticelli’s Primavera, where flowers scatter the scene. But unlike Primavera's abundance, here the cherry blossom carries a weightier symbolism. Its beauty is poignant because of its fleeting nature. Consider how the cherry blossom's symbolism migrates across cultures and time periods. It is a powerful, subconscious association between natural beauty and life's fragility. The collective memory of this symbolism evokes a powerful emotional response from us, reminding us of the transient nature of existence. The sakura blossom continues its cyclical progression, forever blooming in art and our collective consciousness, perpetually evolving in meaning.