Haan en hen - Matsuki Heikichi

A refined woodblock print by Matsuki Heikichi depicting a rooster and hen, characterised by soft tones and precise, elegant line work.

This woodblock print by Matsuki Heikichi captures a rooster and hen in a quiet, observational manner. The composition relies on the interplay between the white plumage of the birds and the soft, neutral background. The artist employs a restrained palette, allowing the deep red of the combs and the dark ink of the tail feathers to provide necessary contrast. The wood grain visible in the background suggests a deliberate choice to incorporate the texture of the printing block into the final aesthetic.

Matsuki Heikichi, a publisher and artist active during the late Meiji and early Taisho periods, operated within the context of the Shin-hanga movement. This style sought to modernise traditional Japanese printmaking by incorporating Western techniques, such as atmospheric perspective and subtle shading, while maintaining the technical precision of the ukiyo-e tradition. The birds are rendered with a focus on their natural form, avoiding excessive stylisation in favour of a balanced, realistic depiction.

The print demonstrates the technical skill required to achieve smooth gradients in the background, a hallmark of high-quality Japanese woodblock printing. The placement of the birds, huddled together, creates a sense of stillness. The artist uses calligraphic lines to define the feathers, particularly in the rooster's tail, which provides a sense of movement against the otherwise static posture of the pair. This work reflects the period's interest in kacho-ga, or bird-and-flower subjects, which remained a popular genre for both domestic and international audiences. The simplicity of the design ensures that the focus remains entirely on the subjects, presented without unnecessary ornamentation or distracting elements. It is a clear example of the refined approach to printmaking that defined the early twentieth-century Japanese aesthetic.