Nandin

This kacho-e depicts nandina (Nandina domestica), known in Japanese as nanten, a shrub whose bright red berry clusters and delicate pinnate leaves made it a favored subject in botanical and decorative print design. In traditional Japanese culture, nandina carried auspicious associations — its name was read as a homophone for 'turning away difficulty' — and it frequently appeared in New Year imagery. Gekko renders the plant with the careful botanical attention typical of Meiji-era nature studies, likely showing the red berries against dark green foliage, with restrained ink outlines and precise color registration on washi. The composition may isolate the branch against a plain or lightly graded ground, emphasizing the geometry of the compound leaves and the clusters of vermillion fruit. The print demonstrates Gekko's facility with kacho-e conventions while reflecting the Meiji period's sustained interest in natural history subjects.