A couple of years ago I told you all about the Library of Congress Jukebox, an amazing collection of old musical recordings. Now I want to introduce you to its collection of Japanese woodblock prints and drawings. Ukiyo-e, pictures of the floating world, arose in the city of Edo, now Tokyo, in the 1600s. This art form showed mostly the leisure culture of Japan, though subjects from travel, myth, legend, literature, history, and daily life were also popular. This art form was little known for the 200 years because of national seclusion, a policy adopted by Tokugawa shongunate.
Though there are many genres and traditions in this collection, the art Yokohama-e is the most prolific. This subset arose from two expeditions in 1852 and 1854 by American naval officer, Matthew Calbraith Perry. He is considered instrumental in opening up Japan to the Western World. Edo print publishers sent Ukiyo-e artist to the port city of Yokohama to sketch these foreigners. I love the intersection of cultures in this form. Our paths so frequently cross now that we, as global citizens, seem to forget that separate cultures still exist. We still need to be as fascinated and inquisitive with each other’s culture to realize diversity is the key to evolution as well as connection.
P.S. Please share. The pictures below are from all time periods. Also, I have put up another quote to download for your vision board. Enjoy.
Aries – Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups is the creator and nurturer of emotions. The challenge with this card is knowing when your cup isn’t full enough to create or nurture emotions with a positive outcome. This week self-care and compassion is due to you first before it is possible to give it to the world.
*Taurus – Star
The Star is the card of healing and hope. With the Queen of Wands last week, this is another week of looking at your work and purpose and asking – is what I’m doing or saying inspiring hope and healing? The challenge is realizing that we need to go to through the Tower (destruction) to get to the Star. And in so doing, we should not hide the suffering and sorrow in the world but at the very least stand and say “you are not alone” or at the Star’s height to help find positive solutions.
*Aries – Lovers – Don’t be surprised if you are having a hard time deciding this week; however, it is a decision making time. The Lovers card asks What do you really desire? What, Who , Where contributes to your life? Take your time and be aware of what your creative self is saying to you this week. And remember two heads are better than one, bounce ideas off of your friends.
*Taurus – Strength – What makes you strong? This week is great time to work on enhancing your core strength. Is your inner strength your family? making food? art? alone time? doing for others? Find the things that ground you and gives you strength and imbibed on them this week.
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