The Courtesan Takigawa of the Ogiya with Her Attendants Onami and Menami, from the series "Models for Fashion: New Designs as Fresh as Young Leaves (Hinagata wakana no hatsu moyo)" 1783

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print, "The Courtesan Takigawa of the Ogiya with Her Attendants," part of a series that presents the latest fashions of the day. Dominating the composition is the opulent display of fabrics, particularly the peacock feathers adorning Takigawa’s kimono. In Japanese culture, the peacock is a symbol of beauty, prosperity, and protection against evil. But let us consider the deeper currents at play here. The peacock, with its resplendent plumage, has long been a symbol of vanity. We see echoes of this in ancient Roman art, where Juno's chariot is drawn by peacocks, emblems of her own proud nature. Yet, in other cultures, the peacock is revered, a sacred bird whose feathers embody immortality. The appearance of the peacock in this print acts as a visual echo, reminding us of our complex relationship with beauty and status, a recurring theme that finds new expression across centuries. The print captures not just a moment in time, but a persistent human drama, forever imprinted in our collective consciousness.