Sweetfish c. mid 19th century

Koizumi Ayaru created this scroll painting of sweetfish using ink and color on silk during the Edo period in Japan. Ayaru lived in a time when Japanese society was highly structured, with rigid social hierarchies. In this piece, Ayaru depicts a scene that may seem simple at first glance: fish swimming in a stream, with foliage along the bank. Yet, nature in Edo period art was often used to reflect social and personal themes. The way Ayaru renders the fish, their movements, and the surrounding environment might be seen as a reflection on the artist’s sense of place and identity within the changing world around him. The sensitivity in the painting creates an intimate viewing experience. We're invited to reflect on our own connections to the natural world and how those connections shape our understanding of ourselves and our communities.