Courtisane Oi uit het Ebiya huis 1811 - 1814

This woodblock print, made by Kikugawa Eizan, portrays a courtesan named Oi from the Ebiya house. The woman’s elaborate kimono is adorned with symbols of flowing water and dragons, indicating a world of impermanence, power, and transformation. But it’s the shadow play behind her that truly captures the eye. We see figures engaged in playful gestures. Shadows themselves are an ancient motif of the ephemeral nature of existence, evoking Plato's cave, where shadows represent a distorted reality. Consider how shadow play has appeared in various cultural contexts, from Indonesian shadow puppets to European silhouette portraits. Each use reveals our fascination with manipulating light and form to explore themes of illusion and truth. Here, the artist hints at the fleeting pleasures and performances that define the courtesan's world, inviting us to reflect on the transient nature of beauty and desire. Like a recurring dream, the symbol reappears, transformed yet familiar, echoing through the corridors of time.