Flower, Bird is a visual delight featuring the two most beloved motifs in traditional Japanese art. Numerous paintings, textiles, and craft products show practical exercises of the beauty of
nature that artists, designers, and creators have captured throughout the seasons. About 200 featured works dating from the sixteenth through the early twentieth century are presented in this
hefty little volume. In Japan, the first appearances of bird and flower motifs were heavily influenced by Chinese paintings. Chinese culture was highly respected and favored by Zen priests and
feudal lords. These delicate works were coveted as hangings to adorn decorative alcoves in formal sitting rooms. It was this period unique Japanese painting techniques were incorporated into
the traditional Chinese style, leading to the creation of what is now a singularly Japanese aesthetic. Contributions from prominent artists such as Jakuchu Ito (seventeenth century) and Kanou
school graduates (fifteenth to nineteenth century) further developed the sophisticated Japanese visual arts. This book explores the bird and flower theme as aesthetic expressions of nature
throughout the period, and examines the artistry and craftsmanship of the sumptuous ornamentation favored by the feudal class. Also included are reference materials such as preliminary sketches
and studies.
