Carp [left of a triptych of Taigong Wang c. 1760 - 1780

Soga Shōhaku painted "Carp", part of a triptych of Taigong Wang, using ink and color on paper. The fish ascends in the composition, its form dynamically emerging from and blending into its misty surrounding. Shōhaku employs a graded wash technique, with the ink's tonality creating a dreamlike quality. The artist uses strong, controlled brushstrokes to define the carp's scales and fins. The textures created through these brushstrokes contribute to the tactile sensation of the fish's body, contrasting with the softer rendering of the water. The deliberate composition activates a dialogue between the solid and the ethereal. This interaction can be interpreted through a lens of semiotics, where the carp symbolizes perseverance and the misty waters represent the challenges of life. The dynamic tension between these elements, and the implied narrative of the carp's struggle against the current destabilizes fixed notions of harmony and balance, reflecting the artist's engagement with the philosophical currents of his time.