Artwork Page for Festival of Insects

Details / Information for Festival of Insects

Festival of Insects

c. 1615–1868

after Motsurin Jōtō 没倫 紹等

(Japanese, d. 1492)
Culture
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
Measurements
Image: 30.7 x 45 cm (12 1/16 x 17 11/16 in.); Overall: 122.5 x 55.9 cm (48 1/4 x 22 in.)
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1988.16
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This painting depicts humanlike figures with antennae engaged in a festival procession. They transport a gourd like a float, with two teams pulling ropes in front, and others maneuvering it with poles from behind. They are accompanied by flutes and drums, urged on by a dancer holding a fan and a branch. The inscription is attributed to the monk-painter Motsurin Jōtō (Bokusai), well known in Japan as a disciple of Ikkyū Sōjun and an accomplished portrait artist.
A horizontally oriented black ink drawing on tan paper depicts several spindly, insect-like figures pulling a large, segmented gourd toward our left. One figure stands atop the gourd holding a branch while others strain at ropes. At our bottom left, a figure beats a drum, while another on the right plays a flute. Columns of vertical black calligraphy occupy the upper right corner against the uniform, warm tan background.

Festival of Insects

c. 1615–1868

Motsurin Jōtō

(Japanese, d. 1492)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

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