Yashima, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Tsukioka Kôgyo created this woodblock print, Yashima, part of the series "Pictures of No Performances," capturing a scene steeped in Japanese theatrical tradition. Our eyes are drawn to the central figure, clad in a robe adorned with "mitsudomoe" – swirling comma-like shapes—a symbol with roots in ancient cultures. The mitsudomoe, often interpreted as representing the interaction of Shinto gods or the harmony of heaven, earth, and humanity, reminds us of the triskelion found in Celtic art. It's a motif that, like the human psyche, seems to possess an innate inclination towards threefold patterns. This symbol is carried through time. Observe the actor’s raised fan, a gesture of immense power in the Noh theater, capable of summoning spirits and changing the very course of the play. Such expressive gestures resonate deep within us, touching on primordial memories of ritual and performance. The images, like dreams, tap into a subconscious realm where symbols hold sway. The cyclical dance of symbols continues, reminding us that art is not merely a reflection of culture but an active participant in shaping our collective consciousness.