Bird 1467 - 1533

"Bird" is a hanging scroll by the Japanese painter Kenkō Shōkei. The painting, which dates from between 1467 and 1533, depicts a single bird perched on a bare branch, its delicate form rendered with a few brushstrokes. The bird is positioned against a simple background, creating a sense of tranquility and isolation. Shōkei's use of ink wash and subtle color, characteristic of the *sumi-e* style, enhances the feeling of stillness and the artist's keen eye for detail. This painting is a beautiful example of the *kachō-ga* (bird-and-flower) genre, which emerged during the Muromachi period. Currently displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the painting's elegant simplicity and the skillful rendering of the bird, which appears to be a *bush warbler*, is a testament to Shōkei's artistic prowess.