Sakakibara Shiho / Two sparrows

Two sparrows are enjoying a meal under gorgeously blooming plum trees. This work evokes the coming of spring.

Tags: modern times, small birds

2021年8月22日

Sakai Tadaaki / Rabbits and rough horsetails

Two cute, plump rabbits stand on a small hill. The combination of rough horsetail and rabbits is said to have become popular around the middle of the Edo period as a pattern on kimonos and porcelain known as the “rough horsetail and rabbit pattern.(木賊兎文)”

2025年10月8日

Painted by Yamaguchi Soken,inscription by Kagawa Kageki / Sparrow and bamboo

The painting was done by Yamaguchi Soken, one of the Ten Excellent Painters of the Okyo School, and the inscription was written by Kagawa Kageki, a poet from the late Edo period. A sparrow is perched on a thin bamboo stalk, looking as dignified as a samurai.

2021年12月10日

Painted by Sakai Sanryo, inscription by Tomiyasu Fusei / Kappa is happy

This is an adorable piece of art depicting a kappa (Japanese specter) holding a catfish and looking proud and happy. The artist, Sakai Sanryo, was a lifelong friend of Ogawa Usen.

Tags: modern times

2023年4月30日

Painted by Jikihara Gyokusei, inscription by Yamaguchi Seishi / School of fish

The “Yotaki” written in the inscription is a summer seasonal word and refers to a fishing method in which fish-attracting lights are lit at night and the fish that gather around the light are caught.

Tags: modern times

2020年9月11日

Otani Son’yu / Wild goose

A wild goose is flying above the moon reflected on the water’s surface. Its wide-spread wings are expressed with bold brushstrokes and light and dark tones of the ink. The humorous expression of the goose creates a peaceful feeling.

Tags: modern times

2020年6月7日

Ooide Toukou / A mantis on the willow takes a cicada

In China, there is a proverb that goes, “The mantis watches the cicada, and the sparrow is behind it.” It is said that it means being distracted by immediate profits and not noticing the danger approaching from behind.

2020年9月2日

Okubo Ikkyu / Sparrows and Snow covered Nanten tree

Okubo Ikkyu was an official painter for the Yokosuka Domain and is said to have been influenced by Western-style painting. This work also has elements of Western-style miniature painting.

2023年4月26日

Okamoto Toyohiko / 3 Hanging scrolls (Turtle and plum tree, Old Man of the South Pole, Crane and bamboo)

This is a set of 3 scrolls of cranes and turtles that are symbols of longevity, and old man of the south pole. They were also used in prayers for longevity.

Tags: modern times, Shijo Faction (of the LDP)

2020年5月21日

Okamoto Shuki / Peacock and Pine

Shuki was so excelled at painting peacocks that his peacock paintings were called “Shuki’s Peacock” with praise. With detailed depictions, every single feather is carefully drawn.

Tags: modern times, year round

2021年11月28日