The Actors Otani Hiroji II as Kawazu Saburo and Nakamura Sukegoro I as Matano Goro in the play "Kashiwa ga Toge Kichirei no Sumo," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1755 1755

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyomitsu, dating back to 1755, captures two actors in a Kabuki play, adorned with symbols that speak volumes. Notice the swords, not merely weapons, but emblems of the samurai ethos, of honor and duty. The crests on their robes, unique to each actor, were also understood as symbols of family lineage. Consider how the motif of the sword, a symbol of power and authority, appears in ancient Roman art, clutched by emperors, or even in Christian iconography where the archangel Michael wields it against evil. The raised hand gesture of one actor, almost a plea or a warding off, taps into a universal language of protection and defense. These gestures resonate across cultures and epochs, evoking primal responses, stirring deep-seated emotions. Thus, the symbols we see here echo across time, reminding us that art is a vessel, carrying the weight of collective memory.