“Gold-decorated Leather with Figure of a Chinese Boy” and “Patterned Leather,” from the series Famous Leathers, Inrō, and Netsuke Meibutsu kawa, inrō, netsuke) From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 2 1810s

This print, by Kubo Shunman, showcases designs for leather goods, capturing the essence of Japanese craftsmanship. Note the recurring motif of the fox amidst swirling botanical patterns. The fox, or kitsune, is a figure deeply embedded in Japanese folklore, often seen as a messenger of Inari, the god of rice, fertility, and prosperity. However, the fox is a shape-shifter, an ambiguous figure, symbolizing both cunning and benevolence. We see echoes of this duality in other cultures, such as the European medieval traditions where animals symbolized human traits. The fox’s presence here, intertwined with symbols of wealth and nature, evokes a complex interplay of earthly desires and spiritual pursuits. These symbols, like the fox, transcend time. They burrow into our collective unconscious, resurfacing in different forms, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human experience.