Poem by Ise- (Actor Onoe Baikō IV as) Kumagai's Wife Sagami Possibly 1852

This woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Onoe Baikō IV as Sagami, wife of Kumagai. Note the large chrysanthemums emblazoned on her kimono. In Japanese art, the chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity and rejuvenation, often linked to imperial power and autumn festivals. Consider how the chrysanthemum, as a royal symbol, resonates with similar motifs across cultures. Think of the fleur-de-lis in France, or the lotus in ancient Egypt; each carries a history of power and cultural identity. The motif reappears through history, adapted and recontextualized across time. The longing glance, the delicate hand gesture – these evoke a deep, subconscious empathy. This universal language of emotion transcends cultural boundaries, engaging us on a primal level. The cyclical nature of grief and remembrance embedded in the motifs speaks to the way in which symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.