Fan with scene from the Tale of Shuten Doji

Object Details

• Artist

  Kawanabe Kyosai 河鍋暁斎 (1831-1889)

• Label

  These fans by Kawanabe Kyosai (see also F1969.30, F1969.39 and F1969.43) are selected from a larger group that illustrates various episodes from the story of the conquest and slaying of the drunken giant, Shuten Doji. In this sequence, a young dancer entertains the warriors at a banquet; the giant in his human form reclines in the company of captured maidens as more maidens are carried in by Shuten Doji's demon attendants; after the giant in his demonic form has been decapitated, his head attacks Raiko, who is protected by a magic helmet; and the warriors fight fiercely to subdue the demons outside the fortress. Illustrations of the Shuten Doji narrative were popular throughout the Edo period and can be found in handscroll, screen, fan, and folding-screen versions, as well as in printed books.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Tale of Shuten Doji (March 21 to September 20, 2009)

  Tales and Legends in Japanese Art (June 21, 2003 to January 4, 2004)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1880s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Kawanabe, Kyosai

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Tale of Shuten Doji, Fans, Art, Shuten Doji, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Paintings