Wereld der Kunsten c. 1890 - 1893

Watanabe Seitei crafted this woodblock print, titled "Wereld der Kunsten," sometime between 1870 and 1910. Here we see stylized depictions of tassels and decorative knots, rendered in vibrant reds. These motifs, while seemingly ornamental, echo through time. The knot, a universal symbol, appears in ancient cultures from the Gordian Knot of Phrygia to Celtic designs, embodying connection, fate, and the infinite. Similarly, tassels often adorn ceremonial and religious objects across cultures, signifying status, power, and spiritual significance. Consider how these elements evoke a sense of ritual and formality. The persistence of such symbols reveals a collective human fascination with the ideas they represent. The image engages viewers on a subconscious level, stirring deeply ingrained associations with tradition and continuity. Note that these motifs are not static relics but living forms that resurface, evolve, and acquire new meanings as they are carried through history.