Coat 1895 - 1905

This coat, crafted by Iida & Co./Takashimaya, is adorned with bamboo. In East Asian cultures, bamboo symbolizes resilience, flexibility, and longevity, often associated with virtues like integrity and perseverance. Observe how this motif is echoed across cultures and throughout history. Consider the fluted columns of ancient Greek architecture, mimicking the verticality and strength of bamboo stalks. Yet, in other contexts, bamboo might represent fragility, bending in the wind—a testament to nature's power. These shifting symbols, these 'pathos formulas' as I like to call them, constantly resurface, molded by collective memory and the subconscious currents of culture. The emotional power of the bamboo image resonates deeply, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Its cyclical progression and evolution remind us that symbols are never static.