Brown-Eared Bulbul (Hiyodori) on a Branch of Plum 1525 - 1575

"Brown-Eared Bulbul (Hiyodori) on a Branch of Plum" is a hanging scroll by Kano Shōei, a prominent artist of the Kano school, completed between 1525 and 1575. The scroll depicts a brown-eared bulbul perched on a plum branch, its song echoing through the delicate blossoms. The simple composition and masterful brushwork are characteristic of Shōei's style, reflecting the influence of earlier masters. The subtle use of color and the elegant depiction of the bird in its natural setting are hallmarks of Japanese bird-and-flower paintings, known as "kachō-ga," which became popular during the Muromachi Period. This work is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and showcases Shōei's exquisite talent for capturing the beauty of the natural world.