Carp and Crucians c. 1830s

Utagawa Hiroshige's "Carp and Crucians" is a woodblock print, likely created in the late Edo period, a time when Japan was undergoing significant social and economic change. Hiroshige, born into a fire-watching samurai family, later embraced art. His ukiyo-e prints often depicted the natural world and everyday life. Carp, strong swimmers that can live for decades, are a popular motif in Japanese art, symbolizing perseverance, strength, and longevity. As a result, they are often flown as flags on Boy’s day, a celebration of masculine strength. The light blue wash of the water is punctuated by the dark scales of the carp, which are picked out in fine detail. The fish seem to dance in the water, weightless and free. This print offers a serene, contemplative view into the natural world, but also reflects the values of the society that produced it, connecting personal aspirations with broader cultural ideals.