Ox (Ushi), from the series "Twelve Hours of the Floating World (Ukiyo juni shi)" c. 1780 - 1801

Katsukawa Shunchō created “Ox (Ushi)” as a woodblock print from the series "Twelve Hours of the Floating World," sometime between 1775 and 1795. Notice how the composition is structured by a serene landscape filled with soft, muted colors. Here, Shunchō employs a flattening of perspective typical of ukiyo-e prints, emphasizing decorative patterns and surface design over depth. The figures are outlined with delicate lines and filled with gentle colors, predominantly pinks and greens, creating a harmonious balance. The black ox contrasts starkly with the lighter tones of the figures and landscape. This contrast functions as a semiotic marker, drawing attention to the animal's symbolic role within the print’s zodiacal theme. The print subtly destabilizes conventional spatial relationships through its composition, inviting viewers to reconsider traditional notions of perspective and representation.