Eguchi no Kimi 1770 - 1820

Katsukawa Shuntei painted "Eguchi no Kimi" with ink and color on silk. It presents the courtesan Eguchi no Kimi atop a large elephant, set against a pale backdrop suggesting a halo. The elephant, a symbol of strength and sagacity, echoes images of royal power seen across continents, from ancient India to the Roman Empire. In Buddhism, the elephant is a sacred animal, often associated with the birth of the Buddha. The halo-like circle, a traditional signifier of divinity, brings to mind depictions of saints in Christian art and divine figures in other religions. Here, the elephant and halo merge, creating a fascinating blend of Buddhist and secular imagery. This juxtaposition invites us to consider how cultural symbols evolve and are reinterpreted, reflecting humanity’s collective unconscious drive to find meaning and resonance across diverse cultural landscapes.