Bijutsukai Pl.176
1901
Created by Furuya Kōrin in 1901 for the art magazine *Bijutsukai*, this piece is a playful mashup of traditional Japanese aesthetics and early graphic design. Bold, swirling black forms—reminiscent of the famous 'Kōrin pattern' of stylized waves—crash through delicate green grasses, creating a dramatic backdrop. But the real surprise lies in the cute blue birds; if you look closely, their feathers are covered in text, effectively turning nature into a living advertisement for the publication. It’s a brilliant example of the Rinpa style revival, proving that artistic branding has been cool for over a century.