Soga Nichokuan: Master of Falconry and Floral Elegance Soga Nichokuan (c. 1630 – after 1700) stands as a pivotal figure in Edo period Japanese art, celebrated primarily for his breathtaking bird-and-flower screens—particularly depictions of hawk-eagles (kumataka)—that embody the spirit of falconry and aristocratic refinement. Born in Sakai, Japan, he descended from a distinguished artistic lineage established by Soga Chokuan, who himself was renowned for his mastery of avian imagery and the art of falconry, cementing Nichokuan’s place within a family tradition dedicated to capturing the beau…