Center Sheet of a Triptych of Asahina Wrestling Sea Monsters 

Curator: Utagawa Kuniyoshi, born in 1797, crafted this woodblock print—the center sheet of a triptych titled "Asahina Wrestling Sea Monsters"—which now resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, what a wild ride! It feels like a fever dream meets ancient mythology, a really visceral explosion of color and energy. Curator: Kuniyoshi was known for his dynamic compositions. The wrestler Asahina grappling these monstrous sea creatures…it speaks to a deeper cultural anxiety about the untamed forces of nature. Editor: I’m really drawn to the way the waves curl and crash, mimicking the wrestler’s own muscles. It's this dance between human strength and the raw power of the ocean. Curator: The sea monsters themselves are fascinating hybrids, drawing on centuries of folklore to embody fear and the unknown. Editor: Right? It's like Kuniyoshi is saying, “Here's the chaos, now wrestle with it!” Curator: It's a reminder of how art can use enduring symbols to explore our primal fears and desires. Editor: Definitely, I feel like I just dove headfirst into a myth.