He looks like the artist who appeared on television about 1965 and taught Japanese brush painting. I went to Boin Arts n Crafts in Morristown, NJ and bought the ink stick and brushes. He used to teach simplicity and the spirit of the pose, rather than a literal depiction. A flowing arm motion, 'beak, eye, head,' for the sparrows.
He also illustrated one of my favorites, 'The Boy Who Drew Cats.'