From the artist Horeekei: The octopus in Japanese culture is a symbol of complexity, diversity and change. It is able to change shape and disguise itself when faced with danger. The vreature also famously features in Hokusai’s erotic shunga ‘The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife’. The kanji (oni) means devil or demon. The octopus was often referred to as a ‘devil fish’ by sailors due to its appearance.