Comments - Incredible scene of a falcon bringing down a crane during the Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu's hunt. The shogun's crane hunt took place almost every winter, but only one or two birds were taken each year as a ceremonial gift for the emperor. A samurai leaps into the icy river to retrieve the bird, kicking up a spray of white foam as he swims toward the struggling creature. On the shore at right, an elderly man waves his fan anxiously while the shogun watches attentively from a folding stool, surrounded by retainers. Iemitsu wears a black outer robe with a beautiful burnished pattern and a black lacquered hat. At far right, the falcon handler can be seen behind the tall pine tree, another bird perched on his gloved hand. Mt. Fuji rises in the distance, and two cranes startled by the commotion take flight. A fascinating scene with a handsome landscape setting. Beautifully detailed with delicate embossing in the crane's feathers and a hand-applied spattering of gofun (white pigment) to indicate splashes of water. A rarely seen Chikanobu triptych.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 26 1/2"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Three separate panels. Faint toning at edges, light ink offsetting, slight soiling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.