Courtesans of Yotsumaya, from the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters (Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami)," vol. 2 1776

This polychrome woodblock print, Courtesans of Yotsumaya, was created by Kitao Shigemasa in the late 18th century for the book "Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Pleasure Quarters." Note the prevalence of floral motifs adorning the courtesans’ kimonos. Flowers have long been potent symbols, embodying ideals of beauty, fragility, and the ephemeral nature of life. Here, cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, and chrysanthemum patterns speak not only to the women's allure but also, perhaps, to the fleeting nature of their profession, reflecting themes of transience, reminiscent of vanitas paintings found in European art. Consider the moon, a celestial body often associated with femininity, mystery, and cyclical change. Similar to lunar goddesses in ancient mythologies, this symbol enhances the visual narrative, evoking emotional and psychological connections to universal themes of time, beauty, and destiny. Observe how these symbols have transcended geographical and temporal boundaries, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings across different historical contexts.