The Bull-headed Shrikes (Lanius bucephalus; 20cm in body length) are small birds found all over East Asia. In Japan, they commonly inhabit in grasslands and scrublands. They eat small animals such as insects, frogs, lizards, small birds and rats, and sometimes even prey birds larger than themselves. Because of their high hunting ability, they are also called “a small hawk”, and for smaller birds, they are the greatest enemy. The color pattern is somewhat different between male and female: white spots on the wings and dark black eye-stripes for males (not seen in females). The meaning of their name in Chinese characters is “hundred-tongue”. It represents their talent for mimicking other birds’ songs in the spring. In the autumn, each bird claims its territory for wintering, and makes territorial calls (a high-pitched cry) at places that are easily visible such as at the top of withered trees. It is a common wild bird that can be easily seen in agricultural land and parks and has been a long-studied species in Japanese ornithology.

How is Seitei’s shrike like? In this painting, a male adult shrike is perching on a thick withered tree with grapevines. The season is late autumn judging from the withered leaves on the ripened wild grapes. The form and color pattern are painted in perfect realism: the sharply curved hawk-like beak, slender tail, its characteristic black eye-stripe, white spot on the wing, and thin black legs, etc. The body is thick and strong, and the feathers on the head and abdomen seem soft and plump. If you hold a shrike in your hands, you can know his strongness and softness. It can therefore be said that Seitei’s realism which expresses the texture and weight of the bird realistically goes beyond the conventional level.

Then, how much greater is Seitei’s shrike? Is it better than the two artworks I mentioned above? First, I’d like to compare Seitei’s shrike with Musashi’s. In both, the male adult shrike is perching on a withered branch. Although the direction of its face and body are opposing, the two layouts are quite similar. They are both at the highest level of realism. However the expression of the shrike and overall impression a requite different. The eye of Seitei’s shrike is gentle, and the artwork creates a calm atmosphere. Negatively speaking, his shrike lacks tension, hunting intent, and the aggressiveness to defend its territory. He is merely perched on a branch without any motive of action. In contrast, Musashi’s shrike has a look of menace, and the atmosphere is filled with a determination to kill. His tail is curled inward, and he balances himself at the tip of the narrow branch using his tail. He is preparing to pounce on his prey at any moment. It can be said that Seitei’s shrike has stillness, while Musashi’s shrike has vividness. This is a close competition, but I would like to give more credit to Musashi’s expression of aggressiveness and motion.