Left picture: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 -1892), Kintaro Seizes the Carp (Detail, 1885) Diptych: color woodblock print. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Herbert R. Cole Collection. Right Photo: Los Angeles Nebuta featuring KIntoki (Cultural News Photos)
Kintaro (or Golden Boy) who was existing about 1,000 years ago, is still one of Japan's most popular folk heroes, a role model for children. Raised in the wilderness, even as a toddler he showed phenomenal strength and fearlessness.
At the Los Angeles County Museum, woodblock print "Kintaro Seizes the Carp" (1885) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) is featured in the "Every Living Thing: Animals in Japanese Art" exhibition through Dec. 8, 2019.
In Asian folklore, a dragon is considered as the ultimate transformation of a carp after a carp will climb up a waterfall. In "Kintaro Seizes the Carp," Kintaro is depicted as he captures a giant black carp, the mightiest fish in Asian folklore.
Kintaro eventually becomes a samurai who was called Sakata Kintoki. On Sunday, Nov. 17, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art invited 40 players of the LA Nebuta association to show off the Nebuta float which is depicted as Sakata Kintoki.
