Bamboo and Tiger c. 1725

Editor: This is Nishimura Shigenaga’s "Bamboo and Tiger," created around 1725. It's a woodcut print, and there's something quite humorous about this rather fierce-looking tiger clinging to the bamboo stalk. How do you read this particular pairing of animal and plant? Curator: It's intriguing, isn't it? Consider the bamboo. It signifies resilience, flexibility, and longevity in many Asian cultures. Then you have the tiger – a symbol of power, courage, and even royalty. The image presents a compelling contrast. Is this tiger truly a figure of strength, or is it vulnerable, perhaps even seeking refuge? Editor: I hadn't thought of the tiger as vulnerable. It does seem a bit…cartoonish, with those wide eyes. Does that change the symbolism at all? Curator: The artist's choices undoubtedly shape our understanding. While the tiger traditionally represents potent forces, its slightly comical depiction here might soften that image. It is possible Shigenaga is playing with established symbols. Are we meant to reassess our understanding of strength and vulnerability? Editor: So, by placing a traditionally powerful creature in a slightly awkward or even humorous situation, the artist is prompting us to reconsider its inherent symbolism? Curator: Precisely. Consider, too, that images of tigers were often used apotropaically, that is, meant to ward off evil spirits. So, perhaps even a "cute" tiger serves its purpose, even if ironically. What do you take away from it? Editor: I initially saw it as a simple, charming print, but now I see how it uses recognizable imagery to explore broader themes of strength and protection, twisting them in a way that's quite memorable. Curator: It’s a testament to the power of images: how they accrue layers of meaning and can be reinterpreted across generations, adapting and staying resonant.