Kōno Bairei: A Master of Meiji Era Bird and Flower Painting Kōno Bairei (1844-1895), originally born Yasuda Bairei, stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of late 19th-century Japan. His life’s work, deeply rooted in Kyoto's rich artistic traditions yet subtly influenced by Western aesthetics, cemented his place as a master of *kacho-e*, or bird and flower painting – a genre that flourished during the Meiji period. Born into a family with a history of artistic patronage, Bairei’s journey began not with formal training but through an apprenticeship under Nakajima Raisho, a prom…