Rooster 

Curator: Here we have Itō JakuchÅ«'s "Rooster," a striking ink painting measuring approximately 109 by 39 centimeters, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, what a proud fellow! He's got this wonderful, almost comical intensity, like he’s about to announce something incredibly important. Curator: Rooster symbolism is richly layered across cultures. In Japan, it represents courage, reliability, and even protection against evil spirits. Editor: I can see that. There’s a bold assertiveness in the way JakuchÅ« renders the feathers. It’s almost calligraphic, but so very, very alive. Curator: Yes, the brushwork carries an energy that echoes the animal’s vital spirit. It’s both a portrait and an emblem. Editor: It makes me think of that moment of anticipation just before dawn, that primal urge to herald the start of a new day. What an image!