Pictorial Monograph of Birds

Artist

Numata Kashu

Numata Kasutei (1838-1901) was an artist and naturalist active in Japan during the Meiji period . He had a deep love for and keen observation of birds, and he meticulously depicted their ecology and beauty. His representative work, "Sketches of Birds," is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad as a masterpiece of Japanese bird painting .

Numata Kasutei Biography

• Born in 1838 in Edo (present-day Tokyo).
• From an early age, he showed an interest in painting and natural history, and taught himself how to paint.
• After the Meiji Restoration, he devoted himself to the study of natural history, observing and sketching birds.
• In 1885, he published "Sketches of Birds."
• He died in 1901 (aged 63).

Representative works

• Pictorial Monograph of Birds (1885)

Kasutei's style and achievements

Kasutei's works are characterized by their realistic and detailed depictions combined with traditional Japanese painting techniques. He carefully captures the morphology of birds, the texture of their feathers, and the surrounding natural environment in great detail. His works also convey his deep love and keen observation of birds, vividly depicting their ecology and behavior.

"Sketches of Birds" is highly regarded as a masterpiece of Japanese bird painting, both for its artistic and academic value. This work not only contributed to the development of natural history in Japan during the Meiji period, but also played a role in increasing interest in birds in Japan.

Kasutei is a master of Japanese bird painting, and his works are still loved by many people today and are also significant in terms of the fusion of natural science and art .