SHIBATA ZESHIN (1807-1891)An urushi-e (lacquer painting) of a maple treeMeiji era (1868-1912), circa 1872-1890Colored urushi (lacquer) on paper, mounted in silk and paper as a kakejiku (hanging scroll), depicting a characteristically cropped view of the trunk and branch of a maple tree in autumn foliage, a small bird perched on one of its branches, signed Zeshin and with a red seal 21 1/4 x 17 3/4in (53 x 45cm) (image only)注脚It is thought that Zeshin first worked in urushi-e in 1872 and it is certain that the technique was well developed by 1876, when he submitted an album of urushi-e paintings to the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, where he won a prize. The jury's citation read: "The application of urushi-e to thin paper is a remarkable technique. His depiction of the natural world is very lifelike and full of strength."