Sparrowhawk (Konori taka) c. 1716

Torii Kiyomasu I created this woodblock print of a sparrowhawk in Japan during the early 18th century. It’s a striking image, but also a fascinating cultural artifact when we consider the significance of falconry in Japanese society. During the Edo period, falconry wasn't just a sport; it was deeply intertwined with social class. Practiced by the samurai and upper classes, it symbolized power and prestige. Notice the detailed depiction of the hawk's plumage, the strong talons, and the elaborate tether. These elements aren't just artistic flourishes; they speak to the status of the bird and its owner. The hawk, carefully tethered, represents controlled power, a virtue highly prized by the ruling elite. To understand this print fully, we might turn to historical texts and visual sources that document the rituals of falconry and the social hierarchy of the time. What we learn is that art is always embedded in a specific time and place.