Chūkei Fan with Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou (obverse) and Plum Tree and Young Pines (reverse)

first half 19th century

Not on view

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

西王母穆王・梅若松図中啓
Title: Chūkei Fan with Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou (obverse) and Plum Tree and Young Pines (reverse)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: first half 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Folding fan (chūkei); ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper; bamboo ribs and lacquer
Dimensions: 13 1/4 × 19 in. (33.7 × 48.3 cm)
Classifications: Paintings, Fans
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Thomas Hunt, 1942
Object Number: 42.40.1
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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