Daija, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

This woodblock print, Daija, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)", was created by Tsukioka Kôgyo. We see here the visual codes of the Nô theatre tradition, particularly the Daija play, with its themes of transformation and fate. Note the figure being carried under the parasol. This image echoes the many depictions of royal or divine figures being transported, reminiscent of ancient Roman emperors under their canopies or the Virgin Mary carried in procession. But here, the figure is part of a theatrical tradition, embodying a character who undergoes a profound transformation. This transformation, a core motif in various cultural narratives, echoes the metamorphic tales of Ovid, or even the transformations described in shamanistic rituals. The mask-like face conveys both the individual and the archetype, linking to our own subconscious understanding of identity and change. The enduring fascination with transformation speaks to our deepest fears and desires, the wish to escape the confines of our own existence, and the hope for renewal.