Hawk

Nichokuan was the second (ni) generation Chokuan. His father Soga Chokuan worked in the late sixteenth to early seventeenth century (Momoyama period). Little is known about the lives of either the father or son, but their paintings were much praised.

Nichokuan was famous for his 'birds and flowers' paintings, especially of hawks. Despite the rather poor condition, the painting has retained its crisp and lively quality, and is a fine example of the subject. The paintings of the Momoyama period express strength and glory: the fighting spirit of the warriors. This mainstream masculine culture continued into much of the seventeenth century until the established Shogunate system dissipated the threat of war.