A charming original Japanese shikishi artwork signed 小林 (Kobayashi), featuring a playful mouse perched on a bright red chili pepper (唐辛子 / tōgarashi).
The composition is wonderfully simple and graphic. A small grey-and-white mouse rests on the curved red pepper, which is paired with vivid green leaves. The strong contrast between the red chili, green foliage, and pale background gives the piece a cheerful, almost folk-toy-like character.
The mouse (鼠 / ねずみ) is the first animal of the zodiac and traditionally suggests fertility, abundance, cleverness, adaptability, and prosperity. Because mice multiply quickly and historically lived where grain was plentiful, they could also imply a household blessed with food and wealth.
The red chili pepper (唐辛子) has a different character. Its vivid red color is associated with energy, vitality, and protection, and red has long been used in Japanese folk belief as a color thought to ward off illness or harmful influences. Chili peppers themselves may also suggest something lively, spirited, and stimulating.
The artwork is painted with clean outlines and flat areas of color, giving it a simple, almost manga-like or folk-craft-inspired appearance. The large amount of empty space around the motif emphasizes the tiny scale of the animal and adds to the humorous charm of the composition.
Size: 24 x 27cm
