TSURU NO MONOGATARI (TALE OF THE CRANE)
This handscroll illustrates the Tale of the Crane, a story that teaches good deeds will be rewarded. In the story, a magical crane protects a man after he rescues it from being killed.
Reading in traditional Japan was not performed silently but as a group exercise, where one person would read the text while others would look at the images. The story on this handscroll reminds us not to judge a person by their appearance but to seek out inner values.
Object Number
F1966.18
Date
Early 17th century, Edo period
Place of Origin
Japan
Medium
Handscroll; ink, color, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions
H × W (overall): 15.7 × 982.9 cm
(6 3/16 × 386 15/16 in.)
Credit line
Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment