Japan Art and Willow Trees
Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
![](https://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bunsai-Ioki-River-Boat-by-Willow-.jpg)
The three art pieces focus on various subjects. However, the one unifying angle is the Willow Tree.
Ioki Bunya (Bun’ya) – the art above – was born in 1863 during the late Edo Period. He died in 1906 during the late Meiji Period (1868-1912). Accordingly, his Western-style watercolors hit a chord with the Meiji modernizers who sought a fresh approach.
![](https://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hiroshige-Swallow-and-Willow-Branches.jpg)
The adorable print above is by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858).
Hiroshige created many lovely prints that highlight swallows from various angles. He did this by highlighting the gracefulness of swallows – with the shared natural elements being cherry blossoms, wisteria, and willow branches.
![](https://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Kitagawa-Tsukimaro-Heron-in-Willow-Tree.jpg)
The final print is by Kitagawa Tsukimaro. He was born during the Edo Period. However, various aspects of his life remain sketchy – including the year he was born and died.
Tsukimaro was influenced by the Maruyama-Shijo School of Art and various aspects of ukiyo-e throughout his artistic life.
![](http://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mtt.original.jpeg.png)
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