the wren (king of the birds) woodblock print - unframed

Printed by hand on bunkoshi select, from the Awagami factory in Japan. Its a mid-weight paper at 70 gsm, slightly off-white, and fits in a 20” x 16” picture frame. The ink is water based and non-toxic.

The image itself is approximately A3.

In Irish legend the beasts gather to name the king of the birds. The eagle, in all Its majesty, proclaims itself king, as its height in flight no other can better.

Short, plump, and fast-beaked, the wren flits into the hooray and challenges the eagle to see who can really fly highest.

Contest set, the eagle takes off unawares that the little brown bird is stowaway under the eagle’s giant wing.

Feeling sure of victory, cresting its peak, the eagle soars for a moment longer in celebration. At the last, the wren, again flits from under the eagles wing and for a short while crests above the eagle enough for everyone to see.

The Wren, having bested the eagle, is thus hailed King of the birds, through wit and guile.