Lobster on a plum and a pine branch c. 1818

Editor: This is "Lobster on a plum and a pine branch," created around 1818 by Shibata Gito. It's an ink print. Honestly, it feels a little quirky to me - a lobster perched on delicate branches. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Quirky is a great word for it! For me, this piece feels like a delightful puzzle. Shibata Gito is playing with ideas of longevity, prosperity... he's also got a fantastic sense of humour. I love how the stiffness of the lobster contrasts with the delicate, almost ephemeral quality of the plum blossoms. Does it remind you of any similar art forms or perhaps, philosophies from Japan? Editor: I guess it’s related to ukiyo-e? It seems to borrow a lot from it, regarding style. Curator: Spot on! And Ukiyo-e was not afraid to tackle anything and everything from fashionable courtesans to... lobsters. See how the bold lines define the form, but the colors are subtle washes. It's like the lobster is making a grand pronouncement. Are those spring blossoms in contrast with evergreen pine boughs suggesting something? Editor: Perhaps that life can endure despite any and all things… it has a strangely celebratory vibe. I guess you could almost say the same about any lobster dish at this point… Curator: Exactly! It's that celebration of the everyday, even the slightly absurd. And, perhaps, that delicious inevitability! That makes it all the more engaging, in a lighthearted yet meaningful kind of way, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, I'll definitely see lobsters differently now! Thank you! Curator: The pleasure was mine. I may need to make some calls to book my reservations at a few top restaurants…