• Attributed to Yi Am (1507–1566)
• Joseon Dynasty, mid-16th century
• Ink and color on silk
• The Japan Folk Crafts Museum

This painting depicts a falcon perched on a stand. Yi Am, a great-grandson of Prince Imyeong (Yi Gu, 1420–1469), the fourth son of King Sejong, was renowned for his exceptional skill in animal painting. The falcon’s sharp beak, golden eyes, and powerful talons are rendered with delicate brushwork, while the layered coloring and overpainting highlight the contrast between the black feathers on its back and the white feathers on its breast. A tag with a bell is tied to the falcon’s tail feathers, indicating its ownership. In traditional symbolism, the falcon represented loyalty and integrity. In particular, a falcon tethered to a stand often served as a metaphor for officials who were charged with restraining treacherous courtiers and offering forthright remonstrance to the king.

Exhibition period June 10, 2025. – August 3, 2025.