Birds and Flowers of Summer and Autumn - Shikibu Terutada

A 16th-century Japanese hanging scroll depicting birds in flight above summer and autumn flowers, rendered in ink and colour on silk.

This hanging scroll, attributed to the 16th-century Japanese painter Shikibu Terutada, belongs to the kacho-ga tradition, a genre focused on the depiction of birds and flowers. The composition presents a balanced arrangement of flora and fauna, set against a muted, atmospheric background that suggests distant, rolling hills. The artist employs a refined ink-and-colour technique on silk, capturing the delicate textures of the hollyhocks and daylilies that anchor the lower portion of the frame.

The vertical orientation of the work is typical of the period, designed for display in a tokonoma, or alcove. Two birds are captured in flight, their forms rendered with precise, controlled brushwork that conveys a sense of movement. The colour palette is restrained, allowing the saturated red of the hollyhock blossoms to draw the eye without overwhelming the composition. The foliage is depicted with a focus on naturalistic detail, showing the varied shapes of the leaves and the vertical growth of the stems.

Shikibu Terutada is associated with the artistic circles of the Muromachi period, a time when Chinese aesthetic influences were integrated into Japanese painting. This work reflects that synthesis, combining a structured, almost calligraphic approach to line with a keen observation of seasonal change. The inclusion of both summer and autumn flora suggests a temporal progression, a common theme in East Asian art that acknowledges the cyclical nature of the seasons. The silk support has aged to a warm, golden tone, which complements the subtle washes used for the distant mountains. This piece offers a clear example of the technical skill and thematic focus prevalent in 16th-century Japanese ink painting, prioritising harmony and observation over dramatic flair.