Encyclopedia of Western Art 1787

Here we have a diptych printed on paper by Jiro Morishima. The scene on the left depicts a tonsure ceremony, symbolizing renunciation and devotion in the Buddhist faith. On the right panel, we see a man meticulously tuning a musical instrument, perhaps a koto or a shamisen, set against an outdoor scene of a craggy shore. The tonsure, the shaving of hair, is a practice echoed across cultures and times, from early Christian monks to Hindu rituals. It signifies a break with worldly concerns and a commitment to spiritual life. Think of the emotional weight carried by hair, a symbol of identity, sexuality, and power. To shave it is an act of profound transformation. This act of renunciation is juxtaposed with the creation of music; one of the great joys of life, full of emotional power engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Through a cyclical progression, these symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, connecting past and present in this print.