Kotori Ruishō|A Compendium of Small Birds
1836
Medium
Polychrome woodblock printed book
Dimensions
10 1/2 × 7 3/4 × 1/4 in. (26.7 × 19.7 × 0.6 cm)
Classification
Illustrated Books
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Howard Mansfield Collection, Gift of Howard Mansfield, 1936
Accession Number
JIB92
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in 1836 during Japan’s Edo period, *Kotori Ruishō* (A Compendium of Small Birds) by the artist Nantō is a beautifully illustrated woodblock-printed book that reflects the era’s deep appreciation for nature and meticulous observation. The Edo period (1615–1868) was a time relative peace and cultural flourishing, when affordable printed books made art and knowledge widely accessible beyond the elite. This volume captures that spirit, presenting a collection of small birds through vibrant, hand-colored prints that combine scientific interest with artistic elegance. The medium of polychro...