Carp Swimming Upstream

渓斎英泉 鯉の滝登り 浮世絵錦絵 江戸時代The theme of the koi, or carp, swimming upstream can be traced to a traditional Chinese tale, which tells of the fish’s transformation into a dragon—a symbol of success—upon completing this journey. In Japan, the motif was also treasured for its auspicious connotations, often being displayed for the New Year and other celebratory occasions. Keisai Eisen’s large print of the subject has a modern feel with its simplified composition in bold strokes of Prussian blue, a pigment that would have had a new and distinctly Western look for Edo-period viewers. Against the backdrop of the Tenpō Reforms (1841–43)—which, in an attempt to curb luxury, limited artists to using eight colors in any one print—the bold design and large scale of this work can be seen as defiant means of making a visual impact in a reduced palette.