Tortoise c. 18th century

Ito Jakuchu made this hanging scroll, "Tortoise," with ink on paper during the Edo period in Japan. Jakuchu was an anomaly, resisting traditional artistic roles despite coming from a well-off merchant family. Jakuchu’s subjects often included animals and plants from the natural world. He was raised in Kyoto, near a vibrant food market and a Zen Buddhist temple. We know he was deeply impacted by both. “To convey the feeling of life in a painting, challenge yourself” Jakuchu said of his own work. Here, the stark contrast between the tortoise's detailed shell and the abstract lines of its tail evokes both a sense of realism and surrealism. Tortoises are symbolic in Japan, often associated with longevity, good fortune, and protection. This artwork provides a space to reflect on the intersections of the natural world, personal identity, and broader cultural narratives.