Leaping Carp
Nakajima Raishô
1868
- Medium
- Hanging scroll, ink and color on silk
- Dimensions
- 50 3/4 × 21 1/4 in. (128.91 × 53.98 cm) (image) 81 13/16 × 28 3/4 in. (207.8 × 73.03 cm) (mount, without roller)
- Genre
- Painting
Tags
Japan
About
According to a Chinese legend, carp transform into dragons when they swim against the strong current of a waterfall and leap over the top. In Japan, the theme of the carp jumping over a waterfall symbolizes success in overcoming a major obstacle. For that reason, on Boys’ Day (May 5), Japanese families raise colorful carp-shaped flags to wish their boys health and courage.
