The screen depicts a Manchurian Crane (tsuru) amongst Plum Blossom and Peony, themes particularly popular among artists of the Tsurusawa school. In East Asia, the red-crowned or Manchurian cranes are associated with long life and good fortune, believed to traverse between heaven and earth during their migrations.
Tsurusawa Tangei (1687-1769), the son of Tsurusawa Tanzan (1655-1729) who studied under Kano Tanyu (1602-1674), founded the Tsurusawa Kyo-Kanō school. His son, Tsurusawa Tansaku (ca. 1729-1797), carried on the tradition of painting in the Kanō style during the Edo period.
