A vintage shikishi art card captures a pair of monkeys rendered in soft, expressive hand drawing sumi-e brushstrokes, gracefully dangling from a tree branch amidst wispy bamboo foliage. Their playful poses add a lighthearted touch to the traditional monochrome ink style, symbolizing vitality, intelligence, and familial bonds—qualities deeply respected in East Asian symbolism.
The calligraphy to the right reads: 好日 (Kōjitsu) “A beautiful day” 東大学祭園 (Tōdaigaku Saien) referencing the University of Tokyo’s festival garden or an associated event
The monkey in Japan is a protector, a trickster, a healer, and a moral teacher, an animal bridging the human and divine worlds. It’s often associated with liveliness, safety, wisdom, and turning away misfortune.
This piece likely commemorates a special occasion, a university cultural festival, capturing the joyful atmosphere and celebratory spirit through both image and inscription.
