Carp Trying to Swim up a Waterfall 1820

This woodblock print titled "Carp Trying to Swim up a Waterfall," created in 1820 by the renowned Japanese artist Kurokawa Michita, depicts a carp attempting to leap over a waterfall. The artist’s delicate, stylized lines capture the powerful movement of the fish as it struggles against the cascading water. The image is a popular motif in Japanese art and symbolizes determination and perseverance, reflecting the Japanese belief that carp who successfully navigate upstream will eventually transform into dragons.