Artist: Okumura Masanobu
Title: The Chinese Sages Kyoyü and Söfu
Date: late 1740s
Details: More information...
Source:
Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description:
When Emperor Yao offered the throne of China to the hermit Xu You, the hermit went to a waterfall to “cleanse his ear of the sound of worldly ambition.” His friend, Chaofu, prevented his ox from drinking the contaminated waters. The inscription reads: Xu You washes his ear. Chaofu leads his ox home. Zen parables like this were well known in Tokugawa Japan and frequently parodied by ukiyo-e artists. Masanobu was clearly familiar with both the Chinese and Japanese classics, as he included a number of such literary themes in his prints. (from Original Intent exhibition 11/21/06-)
