Outstanding and detailed wildly painted large six-panel byôbu 屏風 (folding screen) with a refined painting of a lively brood of chickens. Various roosters, hens and chicks nestled themselves in a lush chrysanthemum flower 菊 (kiku) garden in shades of blue, pink, yellow and white, each with their own unique shape. On the left a two roosters are fighting over a small white hen who watches them carefully. In their fierce fight they trip over a blooming flower causing the petals to whirl around them. In the middle a large group of roosters and hens sit in a circle around some chicks, some feeding them, others pecking the ground in search of food, and a few just resting. On the right the largest and most imposing rooster stands near a rock with its hen, looking over the brood protectively. The scene is accompanied by an elegantly written poem. Dated, signed and sealed by the artist on the right; Dated: 'The winter of the year of the Water Ox' 冬癸丑 (Fuyu Mizunotôshi), which would have been the winter of Anno 1853 (Late Edo period). Signed: 'Kumomine Somao' 雲峰樵夫 Sealed: 'Kumomine Sanshô' 山樵 This multi-coloured painting is set on paper. The flowers are extra accentuated by being executed in shell paste 胡粉 (gofun) in low relief. The panels are mounted by two striking silk borders, a thin white brocade one, and a broad navy blue one with a geometrical motif. Protected by a wooden frame. Dimensions: Total width: 357.8 cm (2 x 60.9 cm and 4 x 59 cm); Height: 160.1 cm. It is in a very good condition with some minimal traces of age. Please take a close look at the photos for a condition reference. The folding screen is ideal for mounting flat on a wall and presenting as a single work of art. When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.