Item from the Mokuhankan Flea Market

Mandarin Ducks

Size: 33.5cm by 43.5cm (13.19 in by 17.13 in) | Enlargement | Shipping Code: [XL] ?

Designer: Uemura Shoko

Era: Post-war | Currency: $ / £ / €

Price: ¥ 35,000$ 270.00£ 200.00€ 230.00 [Item has been sold]

Description: Uemura Shoko (1902–2001), a Kyoto native and Japanese-style painter active during the Showa period, came from a distinguished lineage of artists. He was the son of Uemura Shoen, the celebrated master of modern bijin-ga (paintings of beautiful women).

Shoko developed a deep fascination with the natural world, particularly birds and flowers (kacho-ga). Guided by the belief that “you cannot paint birds unless you understand their lives,” he adopted a meticulous approach through sketching and field observation. He traveled abroad to study the ecology of various bird species and constructed a large aviary at his studio, where he kept approximately 280 different species. This allowed him to observe birds throughout their lifecycles and capture their movements, behaviors, and subtle expressions.

This print features a pair of mandarin ducks. The male, in vivid, striking colors, is followed closely by the female, whose more subtle plumage is rendered in soft, vibrant grays. The green background suggests the surface of a pond, providing a calm setting that enhances the visual contrast and makes the pair stand out.

This print has creases at the right and left edges.

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