No. 2: Guan Yu (Sono ni: Kan'u), from the series "Three Heroes of Shu (Shoku sanketsu)" c. 1824

This woodblock print by Yashima Gakutei portrays Guan Yu, a celebrated figure from the "Three Heroes of Shu," amidst a serene setting. Notice how Guan Yu, reclines under a blossoming tree, holding a fan that conceals part of his face. The flowering tree is a recurrent symbol across cultures, embodying renewal and the transient nature of life. This symbol finds echoes in Renaissance depictions of the Tree of Life, or even the Nordic Yggdrasil, each bearing unique cultural weight. Consider the fan, a subtle yet potent emblem. While it physically provides relief from heat, psychologically it suggests concealed thoughts and strategic composure. This is a symbol that transcends continents: from the flabella in ancient Rome to similar objects used in Renaissance Europe, each tells a story of status, power, and hidden intentions. In each iteration, these symbols reflect our collective attempts to grasp the fundamental aspects of existence and our place within it. They reappear, recast through different lenses, to stir our emotions and provoke thought.