(Black Carp) c. 1900

This woodblock print, created around 1900 by an anonymous artist, depicts a black carp, a symbol of strength and perseverance in Japanese culture. The detailed rendering of the carp's scales and fins, along with the stylized background of green brushstrokes, exemplifies the beauty and artistry of ukiyo-e, the genre of Japanese woodblock printing. The print's inscription and red seal in the upper right corner are a testament to the cultural significance of the carp, which is often associated with the koi fish and the legend of the carp's transformation into a dragon.