A Toy Cock 1825

This woodblock print by Hasegawa Settan depicts a toy cock. The rooster, perched atop what appears to be a flute, is not merely a barnyard fowl but a profound symbol across cultures. In Japan, the rooster is associated with Shinto rituals, announcing the dawn and dispelling darkness. The figure of the rooster connects us to ancient Greece, where it was a sacrificial animal to Asclepius, the god of healing, a tradition echoing into the Roman era. Through time, the rooster has morphed—from a symbol of vigilance and courage to, paradoxically, pride and arrogance. The image resonates with primal urges and the cyclical nature of existence. Consider, too, how the crowing rooster, a herald of new beginnings, recurs in folklore and religious art, signaling the start of a new day, a new era, or a spiritual awakening. As we delve into the image’s historical symbolism, we find that it carries a weight of cultural memory, engaging the viewer on a deep, subconscious level.