Pheasants among Trees: Flowers of the Four Seasons 1560s

Kano Shōei painted these elegant hanging scrolls, “Pheasants among Trees: Flowers of the Four Seasons,” with ink and color on silk. Here, the vibrant pheasants are visual symbols, deeply embedded in cultural narratives of beauty, prosperity, and marital harmony. The imagery in this work resonates across time. Consider the ‘phoenix,’ or ‘Fenghuang,’ in ancient Chinese art, symbolizing similar auspicious qualities. The presence of pheasants, like the phoenix, could have evolved over centuries, adapting to different cultural needs while retaining its core associations with good fortune. It is fascinating how these motifs reappear in various forms, each iteration echoing a collective memory, subconsciously influencing our perception. Such recurring symbols engage us on a level that transcends mere aesthetics, tapping into deep-seated emotional and psychological connections, and providing a glimpse into the cyclical progression of symbols across history.