西王母穆王・梅若松図中啓|Chūkei Fan with Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou (obverse) and Plum Tree and Young Pines (reverse)

Unknown

first half 19th century · Folding fan (chūkei); ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper; bamboo ribs and lacquer · Asian Art

The chūkei folding fan is an important accessory of Noh actors whose decoration varies by role; this type of fan is appropriate for a deity part. One side portrays a legendary encounter between the Queen Mother of the West (Chinese, Xiwangmu; Japanese, Seiōbo) and King Mu of China’s ancient Zhou dynasty (1046–771 B.C.). The queen mother is shown in the garden at left with an attendant carrying the queen’s magical peaches of immortality.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 19th century

Medium

Folding fan (chūkei); ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper; bamboo ribs and lacquer

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Thomas Hunt, 1942