# Birds and Flowers

**Kano Mitsunobu** (Japanese, 1565–1608)  
late 1500s  
Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper  
Image: 155.5 x 340 cm (61 1/4 x 133 7/8 in.)

Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1948.128. [The museum's record](https://clevelandart.org/art/1948.128).

## About this work

The landscape depicted in this pair of screens follows a seasonal progression from right to left, starting with the blossoming plum of early spring and ending with late autumn peonies. A variety of smaller birds are positioned throughout the scene, and a trio of swimming ducks is bracketed by early summer irises and early autumn bellflowers at the center. While some raptors (birds of prey) terrorize a pheasant and an egret (a waterfowl) to the right, a peacock and peahen converse to the left. Hawks are associated with military prowess, while the peafowl suggest cultural prestige.

_Text from the Cleveland Museum of Art._

Kano Mitsunobu painted this in the late 1500s. It is now at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

### How it was made

- **Folding screen.** Panels joined by paper hinges, so the screen stands by itself in a zigzag. The picture runs across every panel, and screens were often made in pairs.
- **Ink on paper.** Ink made from soot and animal glue, ground with water on an inkstone. A single brush can give a hair-fine line or a broad wash, and nothing can be corrected.

### [Kano Mitsunobu](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/kano-mitsunobu)

Japanese, 1565–1608

Mitsunobu was the eldest son of Kanō Eitoku and led the Kanō school after his father’s death in 1590. He painted decorative screens and wall paintings for the great castles and residences of the Momoyama period, but moved away from his father’s monumental, forceful style towards softer, more delicate compositions with refined detail and a gentler, more lyrical mood.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- Culture: Japan, Momoyama period (1573–1615)
- Real size: about 61 × 134 in (156 × 340 cm). The original is larger than our largest print, 24 × 36 in, so every print is a reduction.
- Century: 16th century
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/579.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/579/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/birds-and-flowers-cma-125884).