Looking cold - The appearance of a-Fukagawa-Nakamichi-Geisha-of-the-Tempo-era 

This woodblock print of a geisha was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, a master of the ukiyo-e style. Notice the tiger stripes on the folding screen behind her. In Japanese art, the tiger is a symbol of strength and protection. However, here, the tiger seems to be guarding not against external threats but internal vulnerabilities. The geisha’s downward gaze and subtle gesture of holding her fan hint at introspection and a sense of melancholy, creating a powerful contrast. Think of the “melancholia” figure as first conceived by Albrecht Dürer. The melancholic figure and the geisha share similarities in their posture. The motif of this woman, lost in thought, resurfaces throughout art history, evolving with each cultural context. Like figures from classical antiquity contemplating the mysteries of life, she invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between inner strength and quiet vulnerability. It’s a visual echo that resonates across centuries, inviting us to contemplate the cyclical nature of human emotion.