Small Dinner Tables

This painting by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, titled "Small Dinner Tables," elegantly depicts a vignette of traditional Japanese dining aesthetics, reflecting a keen sense of tranquility and order. The painting features two traditional Japanese low dining tables, known as ‘chabudai’. These tables are set close to the ground and exhibit beautiful lacquered frames and legs with a unique crisscross pattern. The tabletops are adorned with delicate, partially visible fabrics and dishes, suggesting a meal either being prepared or just concluded.To the right of the dining tables is a high-backed chair, covered in a rich, patterned fabric, which provides a contrast in height and style to the low-lying tables. Next to the chair are two small cups or bowls, each meticulously designed with fine details.The background of the painting includes calligraphy, adding a textual layer that presumably offers either a poetic accompaniment or descriptions related to the scene. The delicate brushwork and soft, muted palette used in the painting instill a sense of calm, and the overall composition invites contemplation on the serene moments that traditional Japanese meals offer.The piece could be interpreted as a reverence for the simple yet profound rituals that surround food consumption in Japanese culture, highlighting the artful approach to everyday activities.