Announcement of a Farewell Performance of Bando Mitsugoro 

This woodblock print, made by Katsushika Hokusai, announces a farewell performance, presenting a collection of objects laden with symbolic meaning. Here, the fan and the headdress are traditional elements associated with Japanese theater, particularly the Kabuki tradition. These objects signify the performative arts and allude to the persona of the actor Bando Mitsugoro. Likewise, the blossoming cherry branch, or Sakura, traditionally represents the ephemeral nature of life, subtly hinting at themes of farewell and transition. Consider similar motifs in classical Greek theater: the masks of comedy and tragedy. In both traditions, objects become powerful symbols of identity. These objects, like the theatrical masks of antiquity, go beyond their mere physical presence to act as potent emotional triggers. They resonate on a subconscious level, engaging the audience and evoking a sense of shared cultural memory. These symbols reappear throughout history, constantly evolving and acquiring new layers of meaning. What was once an explicit cultural marker transforms into a more ambiguous emblem, capable of eliciting a wide range of emotions and interpretations.