Cock on Drum 1882

This striking rendering of a cock on a drum was crafted by Shibata Zeshin, a 19th-century Japanese artist, using lacquer and ink on paper. In Japanese culture, the rooster symbolizes courage, good luck, and is believed to ward off evil spirits. Here, perched atop the drum, the rooster becomes a potent symbol of triumph and the dispelling of darkness through its crowing. Interestingly, the motif of the rooster as a herald of light appears in various forms across cultures and throughout history. We see echoes of this in ancient Roman mosaics where roosters are depicted as guardians, or in early Christian art where the rooster symbolizes vigilance and resurrection. The drum, too, is a powerful instrument across cultures, often used in rituals to invoke spirits or signal important events. Observe how Zeshin captures a sense of anticipation, as if the rooster is about to unleash a resounding call. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, resonating with the deep-seated human need for protection, guidance, and the perpetual hope for the dawn.