The Actors Yamashita Mangiku, Iwai Hanshiro IV, and Iwai Kumesaburo from a pentaptych of eleven actors celebrating the festival of the shrine of the Soga brothers 1788

This colorful woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga captures three actors amidst the Soga brothers festival. The lanterns above the figures dominate the scene, serving as beacons that draw in the eye and light the festive atmosphere. Lanterns, beyond their practical function, have served as potent symbols across cultures, evoking ideas of guidance, celebration, and remembrance. Think of the way lanterns illuminate not just physical spaces, but also emotional and spiritual paths. Their light flickers, much like our memories, casting shadows that dance with the rhythms of time. One sees them in many guises, from the somber glow of memorial rites to the exuberant displays of public festivals. The presence of lanterns in this print reflects something deeper: the cyclical nature of human experience. The image evokes a powerful emotional experience, reminding us of the continuous interplay between light and shadow, joy and sorrow, memory and anticipation. It's a reminder of how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different historical contexts, engaging us on a subconscious level.