Japanese Print "A Courtesan as the Chinese Taoist Sage K'in Kao (Kinko)" by Kitao Shigemasa
Artist:Kitao Shigemasa
Title:A Courtesan as the Chinese Taoist Sage K'in Kao (Kinko)
Date:early 1770s
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Source:Worcester Art Museum
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Description:
Shigemasa was a superb calligrapher, poet and largely self-taught artist who illustrated many books. During the late 1760s and early 70s his works showed the influence of Harunobu's style. In this fanciful transposition (mitate) Shigemasa depicted a courtesan as K'in Kao (Kinko in Japanese), a Taoist sage skilled at playing the Chinese lute, reciting magical incantations and depicting fish. According to a legend the Fish King suddenly appeared in the river and offered to lead Kinko through his world. Kinko informed his disciples that he would be away and left to accompany the Fish King.