In the Edo Era (1603～1867), it became fashionable for citizens to go out to see birds, to keep birds, and even to visit some peacock teahouses and bird-and-flower teahouses.
While you are doing a birdwatching, you can see Hokusai's painting techniques, outstanding sense of design, and expertise in enhancing beauty.
Here are some of the works Hokusai depicted.
The title of the drawing on paper is "Lesser Cuckoo ホトトギス", The Sumida Hokusai Museum. Hokusai depicted the moon floating in the night sky softly without
ink lines and the red interior of its mouth, the characteristic of this bird.
The title of the woodblock print is "Bull－headed Shrike モズand Bluebirdオオルリ with Begonia and Wild Strawberry", The Sumida Hokusai Museum.
The title of the woodblock print is "Crossbill and Thistle イスカとアザミ", The Sumida Hokusai Museum.
Hokusai depicted accurately the crossed beak, the distinctive characteristic of the crossbill.
The title of the woodblock print is "Hawk and Cherry Blossoms 桜に鷹”, The Sumida Hokusai museum.
The title of the woodblock print is "Kintaro Feeding a Japanese Bush Warbler鶯", The Sumida Hokusai Museum. Kintaro's soft side was depicted here, where he was grinding the feed for the bush warbler in the cage. In a fairy tale 'Kintaro", he had the image of a boy with huge physical strength.
It was published in 1799.
The title of the woodblock print is "Ushibori in Hitachi Province, from series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, The Sumida Hokusai Museum.
Hokusai depicted the sudden noise of rinsing rice that shattered the morning tranquility.
It was published around 1831.
The title of the woodblock print is "Snowy Morning at Koishikawa, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji", The Sumida Hokusai Museum. Koishikawa is present Bunkyo ward, Tokyo.
It was published around 1831.
Hokusai designed komon, small patterns for kimono, The Sumida Hokusai Museum.
The sparrow pattern on the bottom right was often used on Kimono. You can see cotton reels, stylized Chinese character 文、and so on.
For more information please access the museum.