A female immortal riding on a white deer

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    early 19th century
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Ink, color and gold on silk
  • Dimension

    H x W (image): 103.5 x 36.6 cm (40 3/4 x 14 7/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1894.29
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1894.29

Object Details

  • Artist

    Kishi Ganku 岸駒 (1749-1838)
  • School/Tradition

    Ukiyo-e
  • Signatures

    Signature reading: "Gagaku no suke Ganku utsusu" translation: "copied by the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Music Ganku".
  • Marks

    Two seals. First reads "gagaku no suke no sho" translation: "seal of the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Music", and the second "Ganku".
  • Inscriptions

    On the upper left corner of the picture is a short inscription in the form of a balanced couplet which reads:
    "Suwarite mote kin wo tomo ni nashi,
    Yukite shika no ai-shitagau koto ari.
    Gyokuen."
    This may be translated:
    "While sitting at home
    She makes a lute her companion,
    While she travels abroad
    A deer attends upon her.
    Gyokuen".
    Gyokuen".
  • Provenance

    To 1894
    M. Terauchi, to 1894 [1]
    From 1894 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from M. Terauchi in December 1894 [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See Voucher No. 6, December, 1894, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
    [2] See note 1.
    [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Tales and Legends in Japanese Art (June 21, 2003 to January 4, 2004)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    M. Terauchi (C.L. Freer source)
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
  • Origin

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Painting
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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