Two swallows dance among cascading willow branches, capturing the fleeting grace of autumn before their southward journey. Description: This hanging scroll depicts a pair of swallows (tsubame) among gracefully drooping willow branches, rendered in ink and light color on silk. In the upper portion of the composition, one swallow is shown in flight with its wings fully extended, while below, the other perches quietly on a willow branch, gazing upward. Their placement creates a gentle sense of interaction and movement, lending the scene a subtle narrative quality. The willow branches enter diagonally from the upper right, their slender leaves painted in delicate blue-green tonal gradations that evoke the soft motion of an autumn breeze. The swallows are depicted with careful attention to their distinctive features, including deep blue-black plumage on the wings and back, warm orange-brown throat markings, and pale undersides. Fluid and confident brushwork conveys both anatomical accuracy and a lively sense of motion. The painting is set against a warm, softly toned silk ground, with generous areas of open space that enhance the feeling of atmosphere and depth. The overall composition reflects the refined restraint and balance characteristic of Nanga (Japanese literati painting), with the flowing willow branches and the movement of the swallows harmonizing gracefully across the picture plane. In the lower right corner, a dated inscription and signature are present, indicating that the work was painted in the autumn of Kōka 2 (1845). The signature includes the artist’s art name Baiitsu together with his personal name, identifying the work as painted by Yamamoto Baiitsu. Two red seals below the inscription correspond to seals known from Baiitsu’s authentic works. The scroll is mounted with a sea-green silk brocade featuring scrolling floral motifs, with gold-flecked ichimonji silk borders at the top and bottom of the painting. Ceramic rollers made in the Kiyomizu-yaki tradition are used for the scroll ends, providing a refined and period-appropriate finish. Cultural & Art Context: Swallows departing in autumn have long been a poetic subject in East Asian literature and painting, symbolizing the passage of time and the cyclical nature of the seasons. In Japanese culture, swallows are traditionally associated with good fortune and the arrival of spring, making their autumn departure a particularly contemplative motif. Yamamoto Baiitsu worked within the Nanga tradition, combining the scholarly refinement of Chinese literati painting with careful observation of the natural world. The pairing of willow and swallow—both symbols of grace and ephemerality—forms a quiet meditation on transience, resonating with classical poetry and Edo-period aesthetic sensibilities. Collector Appeal: Yamamoto Baiitsu is recognized as one of the leading masters of Owari Nanga, and his works are held in major museum collections, including the Tokyo National Museum and the Kyoto National Museum. Dated works from his mature period are especially valued for their compositional clarity and refined brushwork. This scroll, securely dated to 1845 and bearing a clear inscription and seals, offers collectors an opportunity to acquire a well-documented example of late Edo-period literati painting by a defining artist of the genre. Dimensions: Overall scroll height: 184 cm Overall scroll width: 31 cm Painting surface height: 101 cm Painting surface width: 24 cm Weight: 230 g Condition: The painting shows age-related wear consistent with its period, but remains in notably fine condition considering its Edo-period origin. The backing appears to have been re-lined in more recent times, suggesting careful preservation by a previous owner. Overall, the scroll presents well. Accessories: The accompanying wooden box is not the original box made by the artist but is considered a later awasebako (matching box) prepared after the time of production. Artist Profile: Yamamoto Baiitsu (1783–1856) was born in Nagoya as the son of a woodcarver. He studied painting under several masters and later came under the patronage of the wealthy merchant and art collector Kamiya Ten’yū, through whom he met his lifelong friend and fellow painter Nakabayashi Chikutō. In 1802, the two traveled to Kyoto to study Chinese painting. After returning to Nagoya, Baiitsu traveled extensively throughout Japan, forming connections with scholars and poets, before settling in Kyoto around 1832. He achieved considerable fame during his lifetime and became one of the most sought-after painters of his generation, particularly admired for his flower-and-bird paintings. In 1854, he returned to Nagoya as an official painter to the Owari domain. His works are now held in numerous museum collections throughout Japan. Additional Notes Please review all photos carefully as they are part of the item description. Shipping Information All items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post, depending on the destination. Each piece is packed with great care using professional materials suitable for fine art shipping. A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched. We cannot under-declare item values or mark shipments as gifts. 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