◎「Eight Parlor Scenes Based on Famous Birds-The Macaw and Clearing Weather」（Signed "Koryū ga"/Important Art Object)

◎Tradition relates that Sung Ti, an artist of the Northern Sung dynasty (960-1127), first conceived the idea of painting the famous Eight Scenic Views of the Rivers Hsiao and Hsiang. Several centuries later, Japanese artists assimilated this classic theme into their own art, devising numerous selections of eight views of Japanese landscapes, the most famous of which is the "Eight Views of Lake Biwa."

The final development occurred when ukiyo-e painters began to treat contemporary customs as parodies on the Eight Views. A typical example is Harunobu's masterpiece entitled "Eight Parlor Views," illustrated in Volume 2 of this series. Subsequently, the theme of Eight Parlor Views was treated by Koryūsai, Kitao Masanobu (1761-1816), Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) and others. This volume illustrates a complete set of Koryūsai's "Eight Parlor Scenes Based on Famous Birds." Aside from its artistic value, it is rare to find the entire set of eight prints in such perfect condition as these in the Hiraki Collection.

"The Macaw and Clearing Weather" depicts a clear spring day, without even a breath of wind stirring the drooping willow branches. A young dandy wearing a violet coat with a kuyōmon crest reclines on the tatami floor, knees raised, holding a long pipe. A young girl in a long-sleeved kimono patterned with chrysanthemums holds a macaw tied to its perch. Can the macaw be parroting the sweet whisperings of the two young lovers?