Ōgama 

"Ōgama" is an ink drawing by Katsushika Hokusai, created sometime before his death in 1849, as part of his exploration of Japanese folklore. Hokusai conjures a scene where the mundane meets the monstrous. We see two figures: one is a crouching fisherman and the other seems to be a more refined man standing upon a giant toad. This toad, or "gama," becomes a stage for human drama, reflecting the deep connection between the natural world and the social lives of people. The Gama embodies themes of transformation and the power of the natural world, central to many folk beliefs. Hokusai blurs the line between reality and myth. The fisherman’s grounded posture contrasts with the elegant man's precarious perch on the toad, highlighting different positions within the social hierarchy and their relationship to the unpredictable forces of nature. "Ōgama" is not just an illustration; it's an invitation to reflect on our place within the larger world, where the personal and the political intersect. It reminds us that nature is not just a backdrop, but an active participant in the stories we tell about ourselves.