Pheasant beneath Paulownia Tree 18th century Saien Hsai (Xiyua Fangqi) Chinese A single pheasant stands upon an outcropping of rocks beneath a paulownia tree whose branch supports a pair of smaller fowl. In this deceptively simple composition, the artist has deployed a wide array of brush techniques. In the pheasant alone the artist has used a dry, controlled brush for the crest; a soft layer of dark, wet ovals over modulated ink wash for the breast; crisp, opaque strokes for the legs and feet; and diminutive dots over translucent sweeps of ink for the back and tail feathers. Xiyua Fangqi, known in Japan as Saien Hsai, was a Chinese merchant and painter. He is thought to have been from either Jiangsu or Anhui Province, and to have traveled to Japan on a number of occasions beginning about the year 1772.. Pheasant beneath Paulownia Tree. Saien Hsai (Xiyua Fangqi) (1736-1795). Japan. 18th century. Hanging scroll; ink on paper. Edo period (1615-1868). Paintings