Komachi, from the series "Six Immortal Poets (Rokkasen)" c. 1789 - 1790

This polychrome woodblock print from the Edo period by Chōbunsai Eishi depicts the poet Komachi, from the series "Six Immortal Poets." Consider the recurrent symbol of the flowering cherry tree. Blossoms are emblems of mortality and ephemerality. Here, Komachi is portrayed with a miniature bonsai cherry tree, a poignant reminder of life's fleeting beauty and the inevitability of decay. The cherry blossom motif extends beyond Japan. Across cultures, the motif embodies a deeper, universal understanding of life's cycle. Think of Botticelli's Primavera, where flowers signal the arrival of spring, rebirth, and renewal. In this print, as in Botticelli’s painting, the psychological weight of these images engages us on a deep level, stirring a sense of melancholy. The motif of the cherry blossom follows a non-linear trajectory, constantly resurfacing and evolving with each passing era.