Visiting (Kayoi), from the series "Floating World Versions of the Seven Komachi (Ukiyo Nana Komachi)" c. 1780

This woodblock print "Visiting" was created by Torii Kiyonaga in Japan, as part of the series "Floating World Versions of the Seven Komachi." Notice the figures framed within the wooden structure; a screen or perhaps a doorway. Such barriers signify not just physical separation, but also social boundaries, reflecting the complex dance of seeing and being seen within Japanese society. The concept of 'Kayoi,' or visiting, has deep roots, reminiscent of ancient tales where spirits and deities cross thresholds. The screen motif itself has appeared throughout art history, consider the use of windows and thresholds in Renaissance paintings, similarly acting as mediators between interior and exterior worlds. These screens, both conceal and reveal, a visual metaphor for the hidden aspects of desire. The emotional intensity of these encounters lingers through time, echoing in various art forms, engaging our subconscious in the eternal cycle of human relationships.