Mantis and Butterfly on Sponge Gourd, 1857, Nakabayashi Chikkei, Japanese, 1816 - 1867, 42 5/16 ¡Ñ 19 9/16 in. (107.47 ¡Ñ 49.69 cm) (image)68 1/16 ¡Ñ 25 15/16 in. (172.88 ¡Ñ 65.88 cm) (mount, without roller), Ink and colors on silk, Japan, 19th century, Various insects explore the twisting vines, blooming yellow flowers, and curving contours of the hanging sponge gourds (loofahs) in this painting. Sponge gourds were brought to Japan from China and cultivated for multiple uses, including as food, cosmetics, and medicine. The dried fibrous interior was also used as a sponge or woven into sandals.