Japanese Print "Three Tasters of Bitter Sake (Sake kumi no san shoku)" by Okumura Masanobu
Artist:Okumura Masanobu
Title:Three Tasters of Bitter Sake (Sake kumi no san shoku)
Date:about 1710
Details:More information...
Source:Worcester Art Museum
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Description:
A parody on the legend of the three wine tasters Roshi (Lao Tzu), Shaka (Buddha) and Koshi (Confucius), one of whom found it sweet, one sour, and one bitter. Here seated around an enormous cup of sake, on the floor of a dwelling, are a young Japanese man, the nude giant Asahina Saburo (the mythical Hercules of Japan) with hairy body and beard, and a high-ranking courtesan. The latter is laughing and holds up her sleeve to hide her mouth while the giant, with open mouth and bulging eyes, gazes in wonder at the sight of such a huge supply of drink.