Shōjō Under a Sake Cup c. mid to late 18th century

Curator: Oh my! It looks like a blurry congregation beneath a giant mushroom cap. Is this an ancient rave? Editor: (chuckles) Well, not quite. This hanging scroll, done in ink and color on paper, is titled *Shōjō Under a Sake Cup*. Tsukioka Settei, the artist, probably made this sometime in the mid to late 18th century. Curator: Shōjō... That sounds like a deep cut from Japanese folklore. Editor: Indeed. Shōjō are mischievous, red-haired sea sprites with a penchant for sake. They're usually depicted enjoying a good drink, often dancing or reveling in a state of perpetual inebriation. So, while this looks like it may be contained "under" the sake cup, their spirits are definitely not! Curator: The sake cup’s almost like an enormous umbrella they are huddling under for safety! I sense it's both protective and all-encompassing, maybe signifying communal joy but it also has an artificial feeling! I notice an element of performance or artificial paradise where people may ignore or are unaware of the pine branch in the corner. The pine branches symbolizes their ignorance! Or am I pushing it? Editor: I wouldn't discount it. In Japanese art, pine often suggests resilience and longevity and perhaps Settei used it to create a sense of contrast with the short-lived pleasure sought under the sake cup. Given that Shōjō are closely tied to celebration and prosperity, the sake cup could be viewed as a container or symbol for this cultural association. The act of gathering under this symbolic cup highlights communal values of drinking, sharing, and festive experiences integral to Japanese tradition. The painting reminds the viewer about their humanity while giving into hedonistic behaviors! Curator: Beautifully put! Settei is cleverly exploring the balance of the human experience in relation to our indulgence with the mystical in his brushstrokes! This has definitely put me in the mood for a good sake. Editor: Agreed! Perhaps with a little contemplation on what the pine is asking of us.