Ono no Tofu Watching a Leaping Frog c. early 1760s

Kitao Shigemasa’s woodblock print shows Ono no Tofu observing a frog attempting to leap onto a willow branch. The image draws upon a popular legend in which Tofu, a calligrapher, contemplates abandoning his artistic pursuits due to repeated failures. Note the intense concentration in Tofu's eyes, the way he leans forward towards the frog; the emotional core here is one of perseverance. The frog, a symbol of transformation and good fortune in Japanese culture, embodies Tofu's own struggle and eventual triumph. This resonates with similar motifs of perseverance found in other cultures. The spider spinning its web, recounted by Robert the Bruce, conveys the same message of hope. The image is not merely a depiction of an event but a potent representation of the human spirit's capacity for resilience. It speaks to the subconscious level that such tales have the power to inspire and comfort across time and culture. The image has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.