An Owl Perched in a Tree c. 1710

Hanabusa Itchō painted this hanging scroll with ink and color on paper, depicting an owl perched high in a bare tree. In Japan, the owl is a complex symbol, associated with protection, good luck, and wisdom. The Japanese word for owl, "fukurou," can be interpreted as "no suffering" or "bringing fortune." Observe how this motif of the wise, nocturnal bird transcends cultures. In ancient Greece, the owl was the emblem of Athena, goddess of wisdom, its presence imbuing the viewer with the power of knowledge. Yet, in Europe, during the medieval times, it was often associated with darkness and ill omens. This contrast shows how cultural memory shapes the perception of the same symbol. The owl's keen eyes evoke a sense of latent alertness, engaging our deepest instincts. Like a guardian of the night, it invites us to explore the subconscious. Here, the symbolism of the owl is not static; it ebbs and flows, continually colored by the shifting tides of cultural experience and memory.