Six Themes About Music (tsuzumi) 

Fujishima Takeji's painting presents a vibrant image of a woman with tsuzumi drums, likely created with watercolor or gouache on paper. The artist skillfully renders the texture of the drums and the delicate features of the woman, but it’s the wider context of the Meiji and Taisho eras that gives the work its significance. Fujishima's art reflects a moment of cultural exchange, blending Japanese aesthetics with Western painting techniques. The choice of subject matter—a woman playing traditional drums—connects to the rich history of Japanese music. However, the painting's style indicates the artist’s interest in Western art movements, like Impressionism. This fusion of local traditions and global influences is a hallmark of art from this period, reflecting Japan’s rapidly changing society and its complex relationship with modernity. In examining such a work, we are compelled to acknowledge the intricate interplay between tradition and innovation, and the fusion of cultural identities within Japan.