Hokusai's painting, "Strawberry geranium and Toad", and "Flounder and Dianthus"
"Strawberry Geranium and Toad"
Eaves tile with Mistutomoe Crest which is often used for shrines is buried in soil and has moss. A toad is trying to get over the tile. Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) brilliantly described the moment that the toad is puting his forefeet out of the way, raising his right hind leg, and trying to climb on the tile. We can see a strawberry geranium just beside the tiles. The dark green leaves have a white mottled pattern on the front, the back is dark red, and the light red branches extend like threads.
"Flounder and Dianthus"
The right flounder shows a mottled black back and glares forward with both eyes. In contrast, the flatfish on the left shows a white belly. Crimson dianthus adds color to the two flounders. An exquisite work with an exquisite color scheme.
Title: “Strawberry geranium and Toad”, and “Flounder and Dianthus”