Collection of Kyōka Verse with Portraits of Poets in Famous Numerical Groupings (Kyōka meisū gazō shū 狂歌名数画像集) : [volume 1] 1825 - 1835

This woodblock print from the Edo period by Yashima Gakutei portrays a gathering of poets, distinguished by their elaborate robes and leisurely poses. The fan, prominently displayed, is more than a simple accessory. The fan, ubiquitous across cultures, serves as a potent symbol. In ancient Greece, fans were associated with Dionysus, the god of fertility and ecstasy, hinting at hidden depths beneath the surface of social rituals. Consider the fan's evolution: from a sacred object to a fashionable item, it carries echoes of its past. In this print, the fan hints at a controlled passion, a delicate balance between public decorum and private emotions. Such objects engage us on a subconscious level because the image resonates with deeply ingrained cultural memories. This is an example of cyclical progression in art, as it is constantly resurfacing in different historical contexts and is imbued with new meaning.