On a Balcony a Woman is Seated Playing a Tsuzumi, below a Man in Daimyo Costume is Seated upon a Black Lacquer Box 1780 - 1800

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga features figures in what seems to be a theatrical scene. Note the woman at the top with a tsuzumi, a small, hourglass-shaped drum, typically used in Noh theater. The tsuzumi's sound accompanies Noh plays, which are deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism and often explore themes of redemption and supernatural encounters. Now, consider the figure in the daimyo costume. The daimyo, or feudal lord, embodies power and authority. This motif of power reminds me of ancient Roman emperors depicted with symbols of their dominion or pharaohs in Egyptian art holding their scepters, it highlights their supreme status. Here the daimyo is on a black lacquer box; the color and the material are culturally associated with status and elegance. The use of these symbols, motifs, and colors taps into our collective consciousness. These visual cues trigger deep-seated emotional responses, evoking feelings of admiration and awe. This echoes in our psyches over and over. The daimyo figure, much like the theatrical player, evokes a complex interplay of roles and representations, ever-changing throughout history.