A Black-Naped Oriole on a Stem of Rose Mallow
Utagawa Hiroshige Japanese
Not on view
A relatively rare bird in Japan, the black-naped oriole (Kōrai-uguisu, literally “Korean warbler”) is not often depicted by Japanese artists, but Hiroshige created at least three prints depicting its distinctive profile and coloration. A rose mallow (fuyō) blooms in early autumn.
有明の ぬれて落たる 扶養かな
Ariake no
nurete ochitaru
fuyō kana
At the break of day,
dew drenched, its petals drop—
the rose mallow.
—Trans. John T. Carpenter
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