Kreeft met houtskool 1830s

Totoya Hokkei's "Lobster with Charcoal," is a Japanese woodblock print showcasing a lobster resting upon a piece of charcoal. The lobster, or "ebi," is a symbol of longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture. Its bent back is likened to that of an elderly person, and its presence is invoked for long life. You see, in other cultures, shellfish might simply be sustenance, but here, it carries profound cultural weight. Consider its reappearance in various contexts - from celebratory meals to New Year decorations. This symbol transcends mere representation. It engages viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into a collective desire for health and prosperity. Just as the serpent in ancient Greece was linked to medicine and healing, the lobster is a cultural touchstone in Japan. The image resonates because it is not merely a crustacean, it becomes a vessel filled with cultural memory. This is the cyclical nature of symbols, forever resurfacing and evolving in our shared consciousness.