Birds, Animals, and Flowering Plants in Imaginary Scene 

Ito Jakuchu made this vibrant ‘Birds, Animals, and Flowering Plants in Imaginary Scene’ with ink and color on silk. Jakuchu was born into a wealthy merchant family in Kyoto, Japan, so he was no stranger to the dynamics of trade and value. He masterfully employed the traditional medium of silk. The meticulous application of ink and vibrant colors transforms the silk into a canvas teeming with life. Each brushstroke, each carefully chosen hue, contributes to the overall effect of opulence. Jakuchu has imbued this work with both cultural and social significance. He abandoned family business to dedicate himself to painting at age 40, engaging with skilled traditions and aesthetics, alongside that of craft and fine arts. The artist’s decision to focus on the natural world reflects a departure from the conventional subjects of traditional art. Ultimately, Jakuchu challenges conventional distinctions between commerce and art, inviting us to reconsider the relationship between labor, creativity, and value.