Joy of Fish (魚之樂)

This Chinese painting titled "Joy of Fish" not only showcases Yang Zijiang's exceptional skills in expressive brush painting but also delves into a profound story and meaning about the joy of fish through the text and imagery. On the right side of the painting, a fish is depicted swimming freely. The brushstrokes are simple yet vivid, with varying ink shades that create a lifelike representation of the fish moving joyfully in the water. The theme of the painting is the happiness of the fish, which is central to the famous dialogue from "Zhuangzi" referenced in the calligraphy on the left side. The calligraphy quotes a passage from "Zhuangzi: Autumn Floods," which reads: Zhuangzi and Huizi were strolling on the bridge over the Hao River. Zhuangzi said, "The minnows are darting about free and easy! This is the happiness of fish." Huizi replied, "You are not a fish. How do you know what makes fish happy?" Zhuangzi said, "You are not I. How do you know that I do not know what makes fish happy?" Huizi said, "I am not you, to be sure, so I do not know what you know. But you are certainly not a fish, and that fact is perfectly clear—that you do not know what makes fish happy." Zhuangzi replied, "Let's go back to your original question. You asked me how I know what makes fish happy. You already knew I knew it when you asked the question. I know it by standing here on the bridge over the Hao." This dialogue illustrates a debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi on the Hao River. Zhuangzi asserts that seeing fish swim freely allows one to perceive their happiness. Huizi counters that since Zhuangzi is not a fish, he cannot truly know the fish's happiness. Zhuangzi retorts by questioning how Huizi, not being Zhuangzi, could know that Zhuangzi doesn't understand the fish's happiness. Ultimately, Zhuangzi circles back to the original assertion, emphasizing that his understanding of the fish's joy came from observing them from the bridge. This dialogue profoundly explores the issues of knowledge and perception—how we understand and sense the happiness of others. Zhuangzi's responses are filled with wisdom, affirming the importance of subjective experience and showing a deep insight into the natural world. This painting, through the fish's image and the accompanying calligraphy, vividly presents this philosophical story, inviting viewers to appreciate both the beauty of art and the depth of its message. "Joy of Fish" is not only a visual delight but also guides the viewer to contemplate the essence of life and the true meaning of happiness. Through the clever combination of brushwork and text, Yang Zijiang brings Zhuangzi's philosophical thoughts to life, creating an artwork that is both wise and beautiful.