Miyamoto Musashi's "Old Tree and Shrikes" Published: July 30, 1969 Price: ¥44,000 Publisher: Shoichi Noma Published by: Kodansha Ltd. Production: This is a reproduction of a craft painting by Otsuka Kogeisha Co., Ltd. About the Artwork A shrike (mozu) is depicted above the center of the picture. Musashi deliberately portrays it this way. If you look closely at the center of the painting, you'll see a caterpillar climbing a branch, unaware of what's to come. The shrike, with its sharp eyes, is waiting for its prey, holding its breath without moving a muscle. Musashi depicts the "tense atmosphere" and the "silent" sense of urgency. It is believed that the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi expressed the indescribable tension and urgency he felt when facing an opponent with a sword by using the "shrike" as a metaphor (various theories exist). Please purchase this item only if you fully understand and accept that it has been stored at home for a long period (approximately 55 years).