Inari temple c. 1820

This woodblock print, ‘Inari Temple’ by Utagawa Kunisada, presents a woman pausing from her laundry, and the Inari temple reflected in a mirror. The mirror, a prominent symbol, serves as more than a mere reflection; it’s a conduit to another world. Mirrors appear across cultures, from the Renaissance vanitas paintings to ancient Greek myths, each time acting as a portal, reflecting not just appearances, but also truths and illusions. In this print, the mirror’s reflection of the Inari temple is reminiscent of the ‘speculum mentis’, inviting introspection and a dialogue between the mundane and the sacred. Kunisada taps into the rich, collective memory, echoing the introspective nature of the human condition through this evocative image.