◎「Hibiscus and Sparrow」（Signed "Zen Hokusai litsu hitsu" (painted by litsu, formerly named Hokusai): publisher's seal reading "Eijudo," and censor's seal/Important Art Object) 

◎Bird-and-flower prints occur occasionally among early sumizuri and hand-colored prints though not in sufficient numbers to form a separate category. But, with the advent of multicolor printing. illustrated botanical texts and illustrated books influenced by Ming or Ch'ing realistic painting appeared. From this beginning, bird- and-flower prints came to be produced in album or book form.

However, it remained for Hokusai to provide the impetus for a major development of single-sheet bird-and-flower prints. The most successful of his designs were the large horizontals issued by Eijudo. These were designed in two styles-a supranaturalistic style using delicate line and almost microscopic detail, and a freer style employing the rough, strong brush touch and economy of line of Oriental painting. "Hibiscus and Sparrow" is in the latter typically Oriental style.

As Hokusai used the signature of Zen Hokusai litsu from about 1820 to 1833, this print probably falls within this period-about 1830.