Christmas and New Year Exhibition, KACHOGA Bird and Flower Prints

Japanese Gallery is pleased to represent Christmas and New Year Exhibition, Kachoga.

Kachoga, literally means ‘pictures of birds and flowers’, covers a wide range of natural motifs, including birds, fish, insects and small animals in combination with flowers, grasses or trees. The seasonal flowers and migratory birds often depict four seasons and natural climates, and long-living animals are symbolised as its auspicious fortune.

Japanese bird and flower paintings were originally influenced by imported artefacts and art from China in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The major influence was during the Muromachi period (15th-16th century), Chinese paintings known as Kara-e were admired by wealthy Ashikaga clan, Zen monks and feudal lords to decorate alcoves in their sitting rooms. The prestigious paintings were mainly monochrome ink paintings (Suiboku-e), which were presented on scrolls.

From around that period, Japanese paintings of birds, flowers, animals and landscapes had become prominent over the period of 400 years by the improvement of great artists with their style and commitment.
The exhibition includes the woodblock prints by Ohara, Koson (1877-1945), Ito, Sozan (1884 - /), Yamamoto, Shoun (1870-1965), Imao, Keinen (1845-1924) and Kono, Bairei (1844-1895). All the artists were involved in a new wave movement of prints during the Taisho period (1912-1926).

Koson’s birds and animals in his enchanting world signify the artist’s astute gazing and capture their movement in time. His works are derived from the attentive interest of nature and the traditional wabi sabi. The sentient and elegiac in richness attract viewers.

We welcome your visit to the gallery and hope you enjoy our new collection.