Mystical Bird (Karyōbinga)
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper • Edo period • 21,7 x 17,9 cm • 1820–33 • The Met
This surimono New Year’s card depicts a mystical Buddhist bird (karyōbinga in Japanese; kalavinca in Sanskrit) characterized by a bird’s body and a human head. It is said that one can never tire of listening to the creature’s heavenly music. The New Year’s poems were inscribed by Nikyō and Kokusui. Hokusai’s signature reads Hokusai aratame Iitsu (“Hokusai changed to Iitsu”). The work is from the artist’s very productive Iitsu period (ca. 1820–33).
Marina Kanavaki 
Glad to see that being born on Halloween didn’t influence the art. 😉 … Yamas!
These are beautiful works of art, Marina — I love Japanese art, it’s extremely technical and tells so many stories. The colours are beautiful, and traditional. Great!
So glad you enjoyed, my dear Nawfal. Those lines are so perfect, it’s increddible! 😉
A wonderful post and tribute to an amazing artist who captures my imagination. His views of Mount Fuji and The Great Wave of Kanazawa are legendary. The idea of combining a bird’s body and human head reminds me that we have always wanted to fly in the heavens. And yet, we belong to the earth. Mystical and mythological. Thank you, Marina for celebrating Hokusai’s birthday with us!
Oh, so happy you enjoyed this brief reminder of this amazing artist birthday. Being kindred spirits I knew you’d be fascinated by him.
Thank you, my dearest Rebecca!
Many hugs your way.
There is something special about Japanese art. So lovely.
Very special, I agree! Their perfect beyond words, brushstrokes! So happy you enjoyed it! 😘🤗😘
I did 🙂 🙂
❤🧡❤
Beautiful.
Isn’t it?!!! Thank you, my friend.
👍🐓🌊
✨🙏🕉🌱🌿🌳🌻💚🕊☯🐉✨
🙏🐉🙏
🌱🍀🌻🎶🌻🍀🌱
I’d not heard of this mythical creature, about which I found information at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalavi%E1%B9%85ka
Ah, that is very interesting. Thank you for the link! 🙏