Dragon and Tiger
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Ink |
| Current Location: | Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. They are catalogued as a pair of six-panel folding screens under accession number 1959.136 |
| Location History: | They are currently held by Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. They are catalogued as a pair of six-panel folding screens under accession number 1959.136. The museum acquired the screens in 1959 through a purchase funded by J.H. Wade Fund. |
Sesson Shukei’s pair of six-panel folding screens depicting a dragon and a tiger represents the harmony of opposing forces and the continuous process of change in the universe. The artwork conveys the idea that seemingly different forces are interconnected and depend on one another to maintain balance in nature and life. The dragon, surrounded by clouds and turbulent water, symbolizes power, transformation, and the mysterious forces of nature. In contrast, the tiger, positioned among rocks and bamboo, represents strength, courage, and the untamed energy of the earth. Although the creatures occupy separate screens, their relationship suggests that they are part of a single, interconnected world. Their contrasting environments emphasize their differences while revealing their shared influence on nature.