“Sixth Month” from Fujiwara no Teika’s “Birds and Flowers of the Twelve Months” 1743

“Sixth Month” from Fujiwara no Teika’s *Birds and Flowers of the Twelve Months* is an ink and color on paper painting by Ogata Kenzan, created in 1743. The painting is a part of a larger series that depicts the different months of the year in Japanese poetry and art. In this artwork, a single black bird swims in a river, while a red and orange firefly floats on the water to the right. The painting is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The painting is a beautiful example of Kenzan’s style, which is characterized by its delicate brushwork and its use of subtle color. Kenzan was a celebrated potter and painter, renowned for his use of traditional Japanese artistic techniques.