(Three white mice) Possibly 1864

Satō Hōdai created this delicate woodblock print of three white mice sometime in the late 19th century. The pale colour palette and the gentle, almost playful composition, give the print an air of tranquil contemplation. Note how Hōdai arranged the mice and calligraphy to create a dynamic interplay between image and text. The mice, rendered with soft, flowing lines, are clustered on the left, their forms echoed by the vertical columns of script on the right. This mirroring effect invites us to consider the relationship between the visual and the textual. The lines create a sense of rhythm and balance, while the negative space around the subjects emphasizes their delicate forms. The use of muted colors, primarily whites and light browns, contributes to the overall sense of harmony and reinforces the print’s contemplative mood. Consider the artwork’s engagement with broader cultural codes, perhaps alluding to themes of domesticity or abundance, given the symbolic associations of mice.