A Swallow in the Rain 1891 - 1892

Okada Baison painted "A Swallow in the Rain" with ink and color on silk. Baison lived during a time of great change in Japan, as traditional art forms met Western influences. Here, we see a swallow, head down, diving through the rain, with maple leaves to the left. Swallows are migratory birds, and so their image is often linked to journeys, and returns. The single swallow in this image evokes feelings of loneliness and the struggle for survival, underscored by the harsh, undefined weather conditions. The silk gives the impression of a washed-out memory; the bird flies through the rain, head down, as if it is trying to find its way home but cannot quite see where to go. This work highlights the beauty of simplicity and the power of suggestion, reflective of the artist's personal experiences and the broader cultural shifts of his time. It serves as a visual poem that invites reflection on nature, resilience, and the search for belonging.