Kakemono Chickens and Chrysanthemums

Rooster and hen strut confidently through a flower bed of white and yellow chrysanthemums – a motif that in Japanese painting is often interpreted as a symbol of marital harmony and the abundance of autumn. The rooster, with its brilliant red comb and mottled plumage, dominates the composition, while the hen, in a calmer white, walks alongside him.

The coloring is executed on silk in strong orange, black, and rich green, with the chrysanthemum blossoms rendered petal by petal with the finest brush. A small signature and a red seal at the lower edge of the picture attest to the care with which the artist created this vivid nature piece.

Mounted in a gold-colored brocade border decorated with vines and fitted with decorative binding cords, this Kakemono presents itself in an exceptionally well-preserved condition. It is a splendid example of Japanese bird-and-flower painting (Kachô-ga) and an enrichment for anyone enthusiastic about traditional hanging scrolls with vivid coloring.