Salted salmond and mice 

Katsushika Hokusai, a painter and printmaker of the Edo period, created "Salted salmon and mice" as part of his exploration of everyday life and nature. In this piece, Hokusai departs from traditional representations to invite us into a world where power dynamics are upended. A large, imposing salted salmon becomes both a commodity and a stage for an unexpected drama, while mice take center stage. We see them nesting inside the fish's mouth, blurring the lines between predator and prey. Hokusai shows us how living beings coexist and adapt, emphasizing the interdependence of all life. The artwork reflects the artist's belief in the interconnectedness of nature and the transient beauty found in ordinary scenes. The mice find a safe home in the mouth of the large fish; it makes us question our own place in the world.