Turtles and Sake Cup c. 1827 - 1829

Curator: This is Yashima Gakutei's "Turtles and Sake Cup," a small print from the early 19th century, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. The turtles are huddled under an overturned sake cup. There is also a branch of plum blossoms on the right side of the image. Editor: It strikes me as both whimsical and melancholic. The muted greens and grays, combined with that bright red sake cup turned upside down, create a somber, almost defeated, atmosphere. Curator: The turtle has long been a symbol of longevity and good fortune in East Asian cultures. Representing them near a sake cup could represent blessings during celebrations. Editor: But there's a disruption here, isn't there? The cup is overturned, perhaps hinting at life's instability. Are the turtles seeking shelter, or have they caused the upset? Curator: It is a puzzle, isn't it? Gakutei invites us to contemplate the interplay of these symbols. One can interpret this piece as a wish for endurance or resilience, but also as a consideration of the fragility of prosperity. Editor: The image leaves me pondering the precariousness of life, especially the tension between aspiration and reality, and the refuge people seek.