Rooster and Chick 1800 - 1868

This is "Rooster and Chick," an ink drawing from the Hokusai School in Japan. We don't know exactly when it was made, but the school flourished during the 19th century. The quick, expressive brushwork is typical of the period. But there is something more going on here than simple observation. Roosters have long been important symbols in Japanese culture. They were considered sacred animals, associated with the sun goddess Amaterasu and were often kept at Shinto shrines. Even in the more secular Edo period, when this was likely made, the rooster remained a popular motif in art and design. What's interesting here is the pairing of the rooster with a chick, a common trope representing the importance of family in Japanese society. Considering the history of the rooster as a public symbol, this familial representation might tell us something about the values of the time. To understand this work more fully, we can consider popular imagery, religious traditions, and social history. Art like this reflects the complex interplay of culture, belief, and daily life.