Hawk Tied to Perch 1750 - 1835

This woodblock print, “Hawk Tied to Perch,” was created by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai. Here we see a hawk, a symbol often associated with power and keen vision, tethered, its gaze directed downward. This image speaks to the complex interplay between freedom and constraint. Consider the dragon motif adorning the perch, a symbol of strength and good fortune in East Asian cultures. Yet, here it serves as a backdrop for a bird held in captivity. The hawk, when untethered, soaring through the skies embodies freedom; the dragon, with its mythical might, represents potent, untamed forces. When we trace the image of the restrained animal we see its recurring appearances through history, like an echo through time that prompts us to consider the psychological implications of control and the longing for liberation. This contrast between untamed nature and enforced restraint evokes feelings of tension that engage viewers on a subconscious level. The cyclical resurgence of such symbols reminds us that the human experience is filled with a continuous renegotiation between freedom and constraint.