Nummer één: De juwelen van Suehiro uit het Ôgiya c. 1827

This woodblock print, "Number One: Suehiro's Jewels from the Ôgiya", was created by Yashima Gakutei in Japan, though its exact date remains elusive. The central figure, a courtesan, is adorned with elaborate hair ornaments and carries a box decorated with fans, each symbol rich with meaning. The fan, or "ogi," represents not merely elegance but a breath of life itself, reminiscent of the Greek Psyche, the soul taking flight. Notice the two young attendants flanking her; their presence echoes the classical motif of attendants, yet here, they are steeped in the complex social fabric of the Edo period. Consider how such motifs resurface across epochs and cultures—the attendant, the bearer of gifts—evolving in significance but retaining the primal link to service and status. This visual language taps into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level, stirring emotions tied to status, beauty, and the ephemeral nature of life itself.