Book of Famous Japanese and Chinese Paintings - Ooka Shunboku

A 1720 woodblock print by Ooka Shunboku featuring two studies of hawks, originally published in the 'Book of Famous Japanese and Chinese Paintings'.

This woodblock print originates from the 'Ehon Tekagami', or 'Book of Famous Japanese and Chinese Paintings', compiled by the Osaka-based artist Ooka Shunboku. Published in the early 18th century, the work functions as a pedagogical tool, intended to instruct students in the stylistic methods of earlier masters. Shunboku was a practitioner of the Kano school, a tradition that prioritised clear outlines and disciplined brushwork.

The image displays two distinct studies of hawks, attributed to the painter Chokuan. The left panel depicts a hawk perched on a wooden bar, rendered with precise, rhythmic lines that define the plumage. The right panel captures a more dynamic scene, showing a hawk in the act of subduing prey. The composition relies on the contrast between the dark, dense ink of the feathers and the negative space of the paper.

Shunboku utilised the woodblock medium to replicate the appearance of brush-and-ink drawings. The lines are consistent in weight, reflecting the technical requirements of the woodcutter's knife. This print provides insight into the methods of art education during the Edo period, where the study of historical models was the primary means of training. The inclusion of the artist's name, Chokuan, at the top of each page identifies the source material being referenced. The paper exhibits the characteristic warm, aged tone of historical Japanese woodblock publications. This piece is a clear example of the technical precision found in 18th-century Japanese print culture, focusing on the observation of natural forms through a formalised, traditional lens.