Hawks by a Stream [right of a pair] c. mid 17th century

Curator: This work, "Hawks by a Stream," dates from the mid-17th century and is attributed to Soga Nichokuan. It's crafted using ink and watercolor. The painting belongs to a pair. This one is the right. Editor: My initial response is one of tranquility. There’s something incredibly soothing about the muted tones and the soft, flowing lines. The composition almost feels like a gentle unfolding narrative, from the bird taking flight on the left to the serene scene on the right. Curator: "Hawks by a Stream" speaks to the broader artistic traditions of the Edo period. Specifically it exemplifies a reverence for nature that’s also intertwined with cultural symbolism. It echoes many conventions associated with Yamato-e painting. Editor: The landscape really evokes a feeling of longing, I think. Perhaps a desire for escape, given the socio-political tensions in mid-17th century Japan, or perhaps simply an invitation to find harmony with the natural world in difficult circumstances. It seems interesting to me that Nichokuan focused not on powerful noblemen, but the quiet birds along the shore. Curator: Indeed, one of the questions I often ponder is how landscapes of this kind provided viewers with a form of escapism and a retreat from social tensions, or conversely, served to reinforce cultural norms around harmony with nature within very clearly defined hierarchies. We shouldn't disregard how artworks play an active role within cultural power structures. Editor: Exactly. How do depictions of nature, however peaceful they may appear, also reflect or challenge existing power structures? Who gets to enjoy this peace, and whose labor makes that possible? Maybe the hawks aren’t just birds in the stream but symbols of those with the literal power to take flight, a stark difference from the flower struggling through the rocks on the shore. It offers a lens through which to understand contemporary themes of environment justice, class, and representation. Curator: This has been quite enlightening; thank you for focusing our thoughts, encouraging me to look beyond conventional historical narratives. Editor: It’s been fascinating looking at this artwork with you. The work's layered complexity can clearly generate dialogue about nature, agency, and socio-political tensions.