Two images from the IMA's permanent collection are reproduced in this new notecard folio. Phoenix, from Chinese Beauty, Phoenix and Peacock, 1691; and Peacock, from Chinese Beauty, Phoenix and Peacock, 1691 by Japanese artist Tosa Mitsuoki (1617–1691).

Founded in the fifteenth century, the Tosa school was dedicated to Japanese art and lore (yamato-e) rather than the Chinese styles prevalent in the region at the time. In addition to religious subjects, the Tosa school rendered precise and elegant depictions of samurai, flowering branches, and peacocks, quails, and other birds.

Mitsuoki helped reintroduce yamato-e—highlighting nature, the annual seasons, and famous places or stories, sometimes accompanied with text—while adding urban updates and focusing attention on detailed ink brushwork. He paired original designs with a consistently precise and refined style, becoming a collected and revered painter, especially of bird-and-flower images. Although the Tosa school flourished well into the Edo period (1603–1868), Mitsuoki is widely considered its last groundbreaking painter.

Ten 5 x 7" full-color blank notecards with envelopes in a decorative folio.
Contains five each of the two images.