Beauties Under a Maple Tree, from the series "A Collection of Contemporary Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters (Tosei yuri bijin awase)" c. 1784

This woodblock print, "Beauties Under a Maple Tree," was created by Torii Kiyonaga in the late 18th century, a period of vibrant urban culture in Japan. The maple tree, with its changing leaves, is a dominant motif, symbolizing the fleeting nature of beauty and time, a concept deeply ingrained in Japanese aesthetics. These women are of the pleasure quarters, and their elaborate hairstyles and kimonos speak of a world of artifice and refinement. But let us consider the enduring image of the courtesan, a figure who reappears across cultures and eras. Think of the nymphs in classical paintings, or even the modern-day celebrities whose images flood our screens. The attire and the stylized poses, echo across time, revealing a collective fascination with beauty. This fascination taps into our deepest desires, fears, and aspirations, reminding us of the transient nature of existence and the enduring power of the image.