Roosters 

Ito Jakuchu made this vibrant and detailed painting of “Roosters” during the Edo period in Japan, a time when artists were exploring new levels of realism and decorative styles. Jakuchu, born into a wealthy merchant family, had the freedom to pursue art independently. Roosters were a popular subject in Japanese art, often symbolizing courage and good fortune, but Jakuchu infuses his roosters with a unique kind of assertive presence. The meticulous detail in the plumage and the striking, almost confrontational, gazes of the roosters challenge traditional symbolic meanings. They seem to reflect Jakuchu's own independent spirit and his bold approach to art. This painting breaks from the more subdued and philosophical tones often associated with traditional Japanese art, offering a display of vitality and self-assertion. As you reflect on “Roosters”, consider how Jakuchu used a conventional subject to communicate personal expression, challenging the norms of his time. The roosters exude an emotional intensity, inviting us to reflect on our own assertions of identity.