Nummer drie: de lucht bij nieuwjaar met Chitose uit het Tsuruya c. 1827

Yashima Gakutei crafted this woodblock print, "Nummer drie: de lucht bij nieuwjaar met Chitose uit het Tsuruya," capturing the essence of New Year's in Japan. Note the prominent bamboo and pine – symbols of resilience, longevity, and renewal, deeply rooted in Japanese culture. These aren't mere decorations; they're visual talismans. We see similar use of evergreen branches in European traditions, like the Christmas tree, evoking similar feelings of hope and perseverance through winter. Such symbols are a reminder of nature's cycles. Consider how such imagery taps into our collective memory, triggering a deep, subconscious connection to the rhythms of life. The arrangement of figures may convey a sense of harmony, which resonates with us. These symbols, laden with cultural and psychological weight, continue to resurface, evolving and reminding us of the cyclical nature of human experience.