Drie vrouwen in traditionele Japanse kleding die een boek bekijken c. 1895 - 1905

This is a photograph of three women in traditional Japanese clothing, likely created by Kōzaburō Tamamura in the late 19th or early 20th century. The women are gathered closely, heads bent in concentration, as they share a book. Consider the book itself as an object. From ancient clay tablets to medieval illuminated manuscripts, the act of reading together symbolizes shared knowledge, communal learning, and the transmission of culture across generations. Think of similar scenes in Renaissance paintings: the motif of shared reading echoes through time. The motif of concentrated study is charged with the silent power of contemplation, almost a secular form of reverence, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The book resurfaces as a potent symbol, evolving from sacred texts to a symbol of enlightenment and shared cultural identity, reminding us of the cyclical nature of history, knowledge, and the human experience.