(Straw festoon and mice) Possibly 1864

Hada Gesshū created this image on paper of a straw festoon and mice during an unknown year. At first glance, the viewer encounters an artful composition of text and images, where a playful yet carefully arranged scene unfolds. The light washes of color create a sense of depth and shadow, subtly defining the forms of the mice. The lines used to depict the mice and straw are delicate yet assured, demonstrating a profound understanding of form and negative space. Note how the calligraphic text, an integral component of the piece, interacts with the visual elements, creating a balanced tension. This tension destabilizes our conventional expectations of image and text, and we are invited to decode a system of signs, where each element contributes to the overall meaning. Consider the semiotic interplay between the mice, the straw festoon, and the inscription. Each element is imbued with cultural significance, inviting us to interpret their relationship within a broader framework of artistic expression. The work functions aesthetically and as a cultural and philosophical discourse on symbolism.