Tortoises and Crabs 1807 - 1868

Shibata Zeshin created this painting, "Tortoises and Crabs", with ink and color on silk. At first glance, you're drawn to a carefully constructed vertical arrangement. The stack of tortoises, bound by a vibrant red cord, offers a striking contrast to the crabs perched precariously above and below. Zeshin plays with the semiotics of his chosen subjects. In Japanese culture, the tortoise symbolizes longevity, while the crab embodies tenacity and protection. By juxtaposing these symbols, Zeshin disrupts a singular narrative. The vibrant cord, typically used to secure precious objects, binds these creatures, challenging us to interpret their relationship. Notice how the composition teeters between balance and instability. The artist invites us to question the fixed meanings we ascribe to symbols and to appreciate the dynamic interplay of form and meaning.