Artwork Page for Sketch Copy of Natural Disasters, from the Seven Fortunes and Misfortunes

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Sketch Copy of Natural Disasters, from the Seven Fortunes and Misfortunes

七難七福図巻の内　天災巻（模本）

after 1773

Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) to Meiji period

(1868–1912)
Medium
handscroll; ink and color on paper
Measurements
34 x 1714.5 cm (13 3/8 x 675 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1993.132
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Notations that appear throughout the scroll indicate colors and other details of the original painting.

Description

This unmounted handscroll is a copy of the first of a three-scroll set painted by Maruyama Ōkyo (1733–1795) for Buddhist monk Yujō (1723–1773). It depicts people's unfortunate encounters with forces of nature from wind to beasts. Ōkyo's realistic, contemporary imagery was meant to evoke a sense of recognition and empathy in viewers, shocking them into avoidance of possible punishments.
A handscroll features people caught up in various, finely detailed scenes, with columns of calligraphy on the far right. On the right, fine, sweeping lines suggest wind and gushing water, people and a ship caught in the waves. Next, dense ink washes create heavy clouds with jagged lightning strokes over clusters of trees. Then, a large snake emerges from a dense, leafy landscape. Finally, spiraling winds and spiked red flames destroy a wood-framed building.

Sketch Copy of Natural Disasters, from the Seven Fortunes and Misfortunes

after 1773

Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) to Meiji period (1868–1912)

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