Woman with Fan on the Banks of the Sumida River 1742 - 1815

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga captures a fashionable woman with a fan, standing serenely on the banks of the Sumida River. The fan is a key element; it isn't just for cooling but also a cultural symbol, a subtle tool of communication. The fan, that simple instrument, echoes through time. Consider its likeness to the flabella, the fans used in ancient ceremonies. They reappear in Renaissance paintings as emblems of status. The gesture of holding a fan carries immense psychological weight; a subtle invitation, a shield of modesty. The image of a woman with a fan is not merely a decorative element. It taps into a deep well of collective memory, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The fan as a symbol of femininity and power has evolved through countless cultural contexts, and like an old friend, it resurfaces, transformed yet familiar, in Kiyonaga's graceful print.