The Third Month (Sangatsu), from the series "Popular Versions of Immortal Poets in Four Seasons (Fuzoku shiki kasen)" c. 1768

This is "The Third Month (Sangatsu)", a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, created in Japan during the 18th century. Two young women are depicted on a beach, surrounded by shells and a tranquil sea. Note the pine trees decorating the kimono of the standing figure. The pine is a symbol of steadfastness and longevity in Japanese culture. We see this motif echoed through time, from ancient Chinese paintings to modern-day gardens, each time imbued with the idea of enduring strength. The cyclical nature of symbols is on display here. The shells, emblems of fragility and the sea's bounty, juxtapose the pine. This interplay evokes an emotional awareness of life's transient yet enduring beauty. Like the ebb and flow of the tides, symbols resurface, transformed yet familiar, engaging our collective memory.