Curatorial notes
Ohara Koson created this print of rabbits under the moonlight in Japan during the early 20th century. Here, we see the rabbit, a symbol deeply rooted in folklore, representing everything from fertility to cleverness. The moon, often a feminine symbol, enhances this connection to nature's cycles. The image of the rabbit gazing at the moon recurs throughout art history. In East Asian traditions, it's said a rabbit resides on the moon, mixing the elixir of immortality. This lunar rabbit reminds me of similar animal-moon pairings from other cultures, such as the wolf and moon, each carrying unique cultural and psychological weight. Consider how this symbol has transformed: from ancient myths to modern-day cartoons, the rabbit retains its association with cunning and renewal, a testament to our enduring fascination with nature and its cycles. This print by Koson, with its simple yet profound imagery, invites us to reflect on these timeless connections.
