Parrot on a branch of magnolia

This second variant of the parrot-on-magnolia composition likely differs from its companion in the pose of the bird, the stage of the magnolia bloom, or the orientation of the branch. Parrot subjects were associated in Japanese printmaking with exotic, imported fauna and appear frequently in kacho-e from the Edo period onward. The magnolia — mokuren or kobushi — blooms before its leaves emerge, producing a striking contrast between bare branch structure and large, waxy flowers in white, pink, or purple. Rendering the parrot's plumage — typically greens, reds, and yellows — against the pale blossoms required precise color block registration. The parrot's grip on the branch and the distribution of its weight would determine the compositional balance. Such prints were valued for their decorative brilliance as much as their natural history accuracy.