School of Fishes 1890 - 1892

Seki Shūkō painted this image of a School of Fishes in ink on silk in the late 19th, early 20th century. The motif of swimming fish, particularly carp, carries a rich symbolic weight within Japanese culture, often representing perseverance, courage, and prosperity. The fluid movement of the fish reminds me of similar motifs found across cultures, such as the dolphins in ancient Minoan frescoes, symbols of safe passage and good fortune. What is intriguing is how the collective memory of life-giving waters and its creatures surfaces, whether in ancient Crete or Meiji-era Japan. Notice how the lead fish is patterned differently to the rest, is it luck or fate that has led them? Perhaps it is the natural selection of a brave leader that has allowed them to thrive. The image taps into a deeper psychological realm, engaging us with the primal understanding of life's currents and the subconscious desire for overcoming adversity. It's fascinating to observe how this symbol, laden with cultural significance, continuously resurfaces in human expression.