Parrot and Bells n.d.

Tanaka Shutei created this woodblock print, "Parrot and Bells," in Japan sometime before 1858. The vibrant colors and playful composition draw the eye, but let's consider how Shutei destabilizes traditional meanings through form. Notice how the meticulous calligraphy contrasts with the vibrant parrot. Placed asymmetrically, the bird and bells are more than decorative; they disrupt the expected harmony. The bells, symbols of warding off evil, dangle precariously, questioning their protective power. The parrot, with its unnatural, rainbow plumage, sits rigidly, more a symbol of exotic artifice than natural beauty. Shutei uses a semiotic system where the parrot, bells, and calligraphy act as signs, challenging fixed interpretations of nature, protection, and artistry. The print invites us to question the established order, acknowledging the fluidity of meaning.