(Autumn flowers) c. 1854 - 1859

This woodblock print presents a vibrant display of autumn flowers alongside traditional calligraphy. The chrysanthemum, boldly rendered in red, is a potent symbol of longevity and rejuvenation in East Asian cultures. Consider how the symbolism of flowers transcends geographical boundaries. We might recall similar associations in classical antiquity, where certain blooms were linked to gods and carried messages of mortality and rebirth. Just as the chrysanthemum carries the weight of cultural memory in the East, so did the rose in ancient Greece, each bloom echoing sentiments passed down through generations. It is a non-linear progression, this cyclical recurrence of symbols. These motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, their emotional and psychological resonance engaging viewers across time, stirring something primal within us.