Kinuta [Jewel River] in Settsu Province c. 1850s

This woodblock print was created by Utagawa Hiroshige and is titled Kinuta [Jewel River] in Settsu Province. The central symbol in this print is the woman using a kinuta, a wooden mallet and block for beating cloth. In Heian-era Japan, the sound of women using kinuta was associated with autumn and was sometimes used to mark the passage of time. In literature, this sound often evoked feelings of loneliness, longing, and the transient nature of life. Consider how the same sounds are presented in Noh theatre performances. Or how the kinuta itself appears in many ukiyo-e prints, often in the context of women performing domestic tasks. Note how the sound and sight of a simple household tool morphs from mere utility to profound symbolic weight. This print is not just about labor, but also echoes deeply ingrained cultural memories and seasonal awareness. Such images tap into primal emotions, allowing viewers to engage with the art on a subconscious level. The symbol of the kinuta shows a progression of how cultural symbols resurface, evolve, and acquire novel meanings through the ages.