Soga no Goro, Oiso no Tora, and Kewaizaka no Shosho 1809

"Soga no Goro, Oiso no Tora, and Kewaizaka no Shosho," made by Kubo Shunman, presents us with a symmetrical composition which is as decorative as it is engaging. Immediately, the eye is drawn to the central butterfly motif, rendered in soft greens and browns, which dominates the scene and sits above two figures that mirror each other. Looking closer, we can appreciate how Shunman uses line and pattern to define form. Note how the figures' kimonos, though distinct in color, share a similar patterned texture, creating a sense of balance. Each holds a calligraphy scroll, their diagonal lines adding a dynamic tension. But what disrupts any sense of perfect symmetry? Perhaps it's the subtle shift in each figure's gaze, or the slight variations in their posture. This work functions as a kind of cultural code, using recognizable visual symbols to trigger understanding and question our assumptions about social harmony. It doesn't offer a fixed meaning; instead, it prompts ongoing interpretations through its elegant formal choices.