Birds and Flowers of Summer and Autumn - Shikibu Terutada

A refined Muromachi-period hanging scroll depicting birds amidst summer and autumn flora, executed in ink and colour on silk.

This hanging scroll, attributed to the Muromachi-period painter Shikibu Terutada, exemplifies the Kacho-ga tradition of bird and flower painting. The composition balances the verticality of the silk format with a carefully arranged cluster of flora and fauna. A prominent rock formation anchors the lower portion of the image, providing a perch for a stationary bird, while a second bird is captured in flight, creating a sense of movement within the static scene.

The botanical elements include large, pale blossoms and serrated leaves, rendered with delicate brushwork that defines the structure of the plants without relying on heavy outlines. The colour palette remains restrained, utilising muted greens, soft pinks, and earthy browns against a neutral, aged silk background. This choice of tone reflects the aesthetic preferences of the era, where subtle gradations and negative space were used to suggest atmosphere rather than literal depth.

Shikibu Terutada is associated with the Soga school, a lineage known for its adoption of Chinese ink-wash techniques adapted to Japanese sensibilities. The work displays the characteristic attention to natural observation combined with a decorative sensibility. The inclusion of both summer and autumn motifs suggests a thematic interest in the passage of time, a common trope in classical Japanese art. The brushwork is precise, particularly in the rendering of the feathers and the veins of the leaves, demonstrating a high level of technical control. The overall arrangement avoids clutter, allowing the viewer to focus on the interaction between the birds and their environment. This piece offers a glimpse into the refined artistic output of sixteenth-century Japan, where the study of nature was elevated through formalised composition and traditional media.