Leaping Chinese Lion (Karajishi) 

Editor: This is Kitagawa Tsukimaro’s *Leaping Chinese Lion*, a woodblock print. It’s quite striking! What can you tell me about its cultural significance? Curator: The Karajishi, or Chinese lion, occupies a fascinating space in Japanese art. How do you think its presence in art like this reflects cultural exchange and adaptation? Editor: It’s clearly not a native animal, so it must have been imported as an idea. Maybe like a guardian figure? Curator: Exactly! These lions, often seen guarding temples and sacred spaces, represent power and protection, but their adoption also highlights Japan’s relationship with China. It shows how cultural symbols are reinterpreted and integrated into new contexts, doesn’t it? Editor: That’s a great point. I never thought about it that way. Curator: Indeed. The fascinating interplay of culture and visual representation continues to resonate today.