Maruyama Okyo, a renowned painter who represents the Edo period, transformed the course of Japanese painting with his revolutionary style that placed strong emphasis on sketching from life. In this work, a single snail is seen slowly crawling up the stem of a banana plant. The artist’s ability to convey the plant’s strength and vitality using nothing but shades of ink and brushstrokes is truly breathtaking. The appearance of the tiny snail unfolds a quiet story, a humble life that has crawled its way across the earth, finally arriving here. Bold composition and keen observation come together in this piece, radiating with Okyo’s distinctive style, one that deeply harmonizes with the rhythms of nature. You can almost feel the pulse of life within its silent tranquility, inviting you to linger and gaze at it for a long time.