Description

A white falcon sits with legs planted wide on the gnarled branch of an old pine, its wings slightly raised, its head turned downward in concentration. Each covert feather is rendered individually, so that the plumage remains distinctly structured despite the consistently pale coloring; the yellow beak and strong yellow talons provide the only bold spots of color.

The pine branch runs in a broad diagonal across the image, its cracked bark scattered with turquoise-colored lichen spots, from which dark green needle clusters fan out in all directions. The evenly golden-brown background lets the bird and branch stand free and heightens the concentrated effect. The claws grip visibly into the bark, a small detail that lends the calmly perched bird a palpable tension.

The white falcon is considered a particularly rare and noble creature in Japan; combined with the pine, the symbol of longevity, it forms a strikingly powerful pictorial theme, traditionally associated with vigilance and success. Signature and red seal are placed at the lower right. Executed as a screen print on silk.