MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), SIGNED KAZUAKI

The Chronicles of Japan (Nihon shoki), dating back to the eighth century, mention that the practice of hawking was introduced in the fourth century. Following its introduction, hawking gained significance as a seasonal activity at the royal court. Starting from the Muromachi period (1392-1573), hawking was predominantly adopted by the warrior elite. They perceived birds of prey as symbols of their own bravery and strength. This symbolism was so potent that the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542–1616) went as far as banning hawk trade in 1604 to underscore his hegemony. Depictions of hawks in various settings—be it in their natural habitat, in cages, or tethered to stands—abound in hanging scrolls, screens, and sliding doors commissioned by the samurai elite.