Java Sparrow by Pink and Red Hibiscus Mutablis c. 1683

Editor: This is Kano Tsunenobu’s "Java Sparrow by Pink and Red Hibiscus Mutablis". It's a delicate painting, and the bird's dive is so dynamic! What can you tell me about the role of nature in art of this period? Curator: Well, consider the socio-political context of the Kano school. They were favored by the shogunate. These bird-and-flower paintings, *kachōga*, weren't just decorative. They represented harmony and good governance. Does that change how you see the composition? Editor: I see! So the bird isn't just a bird; it's a symbol of order. I never thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly. Art reflects—and sometimes reinforces—power structures. Editor: That's a great perspective. Thanks for sharing your insights!