A shikishi features a graceful ink painting of ayu (sweetfish) swimming in the Nagara River (長良川) one of Japan’s most renowned clear rivers, celebrated for its traditional fishing and unspoiled beauty. Rendered in subtle sumi-e brushstrokes, the fish appear to glide effortlessly through the water, their sleek forms and gentle motion evoking a sense of calm and natural harmony.
To the left of the composition is a handwritten verse that poetically references the scene, adding a layer of quiet reflection. Though light and flowing, the writing alludes to the longevity and purity of the river, a cultural treasure in Gifu Prefecture — and perhaps to the enduring cycles of nature that have carried these waters and their inhabitants through generations.
Ayu, often associated with summer and clarity, are more than just a seasonal motif, they symbolize perseverance, freshness, and the fleeting beauty of life in Japanese art.
