Dance Robe and Koto (Zither) Representing the Wealthy Man of Yahagi from the Jōruri Play Ushiwaka (Minamoto no Yoshitsune) 1810

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai created this woodblock print titled "Dance Robe and Koto" around 1820, now at the Metropolitan Museum. The composition balances the ornate robe on the right with the linear precision of the koto on the left, an instrument resembling a zither. Consider how Shinsai uses texture and form to distinguish the objects. The robe, with its cloud-like patterns and soft colour palette, contrasts sharply with the koto's hard, geometric lines. The robe seems almost like a deconstructed figure, with the yin-yang symbol placed where a body might be, suggesting a deeper engagement with dualism. The calligraphic text weaves around these objects, adding another layer of visual complexity. The interplay between representation and abstraction challenges our understanding of cultural symbols, and this tension invites ongoing interpretation.