Preparatory sketch

A preparatory sketch depicting cranes. Cranes were a central motif in Japanese painting, symbolising long life and marital harmony (as they mate for life). The birds had to be placed in a variety of poses to make for an interesting painting, and the proportions of large body, long neck and long, spindly legs were difficult to achieve. Even at this small scale, Ishibashi has drawn the plumage and heads in fine detail (see also 56.50.190).