Аннотация:The article is devoted to the study of a little-known scroll by the 18th centuryJapanese artist Shiba Kōkan1. The provenance of the scroll and the reasons forits poor study are considered. The main attention is paid to the analysis of thehistory of the scroll and the symbolism of three elements of images on it: wave,triad, and flame-fire.These three elements are important components of the Japanese culturaland artistic code, forming it since ancient times while changing over time andretaining their significance in contemporary culture. The multiple meaningsof the symbolism of the images on the scroll allow us to propose at least twopossibilities for its interpretation: as a separate and independent work and asan illustration of the artist’s diary-pamphlet written by him at the end of his life.In this article, we deal primarily with the first possibility.The duality of the perception of the wave and the sea in the cultural codeis reflected in the scroll. The islanders realized the sea not only as a physicallysurmountable barrier, but also as a kind of translator of information. Thecentral part of the scroll depicts a meeting at the table of three wise men fromJapan, China and the West, which is analogous to the illustration of the famousChinese parable Three Wise Men Tasting Vinegar. The article analyzes in1 Hereinafter, the colon after a vowel denotes its value, which in Japanese isa meaning-distinguishing factor.79Simonova-Gudzenko E. K. Shiba Kōkan’s Paintingdetail the portraits of the three participants of the meeting, considers possibleprototypes of the Japanese character and the collective images of the Chineseand the European ones, confirmed by the carefully studied symbolism of theirappearance, as well as the objects spread out in front of them.The burning Buddhist pagoda depicted at the top of the scroll and the threegroups of people trying to extinguish it seem to be an allegory for the gatheringaround the table. It is also seen in the use of different ways and means ofextinguishing the fire by groups of Japanese, Chinese, and Europeans. It seemsthat the scroll also has Buddhist connotations. The image reflects the irony,mockery, and laughter, which are among the characteristics of Edo culture. Thefinal part of the article speculates on the possible dating and authorship of thescroll.