Red Parrot on the Branch of a Tree

The year 1868 was a turning point in the history of the Japan. Assimilation of western models influenced almost all spheres of life, and of course, art. During the first two decades of the Meiji period (1868-1912). The changes that took place since the Meiji Restoration were swift. The world of ukiyo-e, the traditional Japanese woodblock printing mirrored these new trends. In this first period, artists such as Hiroshige III used the traditional techniques of the ukiyo-e to mainly represent modernization and life in the big cities. We see new architecture, load carts, carriages and street trolleys drawn by horses, aerostatic balloons, steamships, and Japanese people in western fashion clothes. A new trend within the ukiyo-e that began to integrate new elements of western aesthetics to Japanese printing along with the rise in nostalgia, when fresh and delicate women were painted by artists like Utamaro and Kiyonaga.

Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800) was a Japanese painter of the Edo period, known for his vivid and detailed depictions of nature and animals. He was born in Kyoto, Japan, and began studying painting at an early age under the tutelage of his father, who was also a painter. Jakuchū's early works were heavily influenced by the style of the Kano school, a traditional Japanese painting style that emphasised realism and precise brushwork. However, as Jakuchū matured as an artist, he began to develop his own unique style, incorporating bright colours and intricate patterns into his paintings. He was particularly renowned for his depictions of birds and flowers, which he painted with great attention to detail and a keen eye for colour and texture. His most famous work is the "Dōshoku sai-e" or "Colourful Realm of Living Beings", a series of over 30 large-scale paintings depicting various animals and plants. Jakuchū's work was highly regarded during his lifetime and he was recognised as one of the greatest painters of his time. However, his reputation declined after his death, and it was not until the 20th century that his work was rediscovered and appreciated. Today, he is considered one of the most important Japanese painters of the Edo period, and his work continues to inspire artists around the world.