Kawamura Manshu (Japanese, 1880–1942). Cranes (One of Pair), early 20th century. One of a pair of four-paneled folding screens, color, ink and gold on paper, 67 x 73 1/2 in. (170.2 x 186.7cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Henry and Liza Hyde, 1991.242.1. (Photo Brooklyn Museum)

Kawamura Manshu (Japanese, 1880–1942). Cranes (One of Pair), early 20th century. One of a pair of four-paneled folding screens, color, ink and gold on paper, 67 x 73 1/2 in. (170.2 x 186.7cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Henry and Liza Hyde, 1991.242.2. (Photo Brooklyn Museum)

The cranes depicted in Kawamura Manshū's artwork are a significant symbol in Japanese culture, often representing longevity, good fortune, and fidelity, rooted in Shinto beliefs and folklore as detailed in Japanese art history.  

Kawamura Manshū, a Nihonga painter from Kyoto, studied under Yamamoto Shunkyo and created this piece in the early 20th century, a period when Japanese art was blending traditional forms with Western influences, as seen in international expositions of the time.  

The golden background and elegant crane motifs reflect the traditional Japanese screen painting style, showcasing Manshū’s mastery of Nihonga techniques during a transformative era in Japanese art.