Shuto gunjakuzu 

Ito Jakuchu made this painting, titled “Shuto gunjakuzu,” in the eighteenth century, using ink and color on silk. It depicts a dense flock of sparrows amid millet stalks. The material support - silk - is crucial here. Its smooth, absorbent surface allows for the layered application of pigment, creating subtle gradations of tone and texture. The artist's meticulous brushwork, coupled with the inherent qualities of the ink and colors, capture the vitality of the natural world. This process of layering and building up detail speaks to the time-consuming nature of traditional East Asian painting, where skill and patience are valued. Jakuchu’s incredible artistic rendering, with his intense attention to detail, elevates what might seem to be a humble subject, imbuing it with a sense of beauty. By focusing on the labor-intensive processes and the deep cultural significance embedded within the materials, we can better appreciate the layers of meaning in this artwork.