Kanagawa c. 1890 - 1900

Totoya Hokkei crafted this woodblock print called Kanagawa, sometime between 1790 and 1850, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Immediately, you'll see the prominence of sea creatures: an octopus, fish, and shellfish arranged on a platter. But consider, if you will, that these creatures are not just objects of still life. In Japanese art, fish, especially, symbolize prosperity and good fortune, often linked to the abundance of the sea and the success of fishermen. Notice how the octopus seems to weave through the composition, a creature of the deep, its presence echoing primal fears and the unknown. The ocean's bounty is not merely food but a source of both sustenance and anxiety. Similar themes echo through time, like the cornucopia of ancient Greece or the abundant harvest scenes in medieval art, all reflecting humanity's complex relationship with nature’s bounty. These symbols tap into something deep, a collective memory of survival, fear, and gratitude. Even now, these images stir us, evoking a connection to our ancestors. The cyclical nature of these symbols reminds us that history is not linear but a continuous, evolving story.