Myna on a Branch [left of a triptych of Scholar with Heron and Myna] c. mid 17th century

This scroll painting, "Myna on a Branch," was created by Kusumi Morikage around the 17th century. Here, the myna bird perches on a delicate branch, rendered in subtle ink washes that capture its essence. In East Asian art, birds often symbolize freedom, joy, or transition between states. The myna, with its capacity for mimicry, becomes a symbol not just of nature but of our interactions with it. Consider how bird motifs appear in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Renaissance allegories, each time shifting in meaning yet retaining a connection to the natural world. The delicate branch and the watchful bird evoke a feeling of quiet observation. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, resonating with a primal awareness of nature's rhythms and secrets. Morikage's simple composition transcends its immediate context, echoing through time, engaging us on a subconscious level.