Meiji Period
Possible to exhibit on either side, finely decorated in typical Shibayama inlay with finch and sparrow in flight and perched around flowering peony and chrysanthemum shrubs issuing from rockwork, with butterflies and bees hovering around, all the birds' eyes inlaid in mother-of-pearl, framed by a border of auspicious and archaic symbols, similarly lacquered in gold takamakie, the other side showing two egrets among tall windswept grasses and trailing vine entwined around wood stumps, one bird shown in mid flight with an arrow that has narrowly missed its target, flying past its wing, framed by a border of seasonal floral sprays including peony, irises, maple leaves, daisies, chrysanthemums, 'Buddhist-hand' citrus and morning glory, all reserved on a natural wood grain ground; unsigned. 175.5cm x 193.4cm (69 1/8in x 72¼in).