Maruyama ÔKYO (1733–95)
Cranes

This stunning example of Japanese screen design shows Okyo’s expressive power as well as his meticulous observation of cranes and their behaviour. The artist is attuned to the subtle relationship among the adult and juvenile birds that congregate on this screen. The artist’s power of observation can be seen in details such as the half-closed eye of the resting adult crane on the far right, and the crane stretching skywards.