Section from Theatres of the East

Category

Library Item

Item no

43197

Title

Section from Theatres of the East, a Japanese handscroll painting

Description

Section of a handscroll painting depicting the theatre district of Edo, or Tokyo in Japan as it is known today.

This section shows both the inside and outside of a bustling theatre venue. Inside the actors and musicians dance and play on the stage in colourful costumes. On the right hand side, behind the scenes, artists paint sets and props for the stage backdrops. Many people watch the performance seated in front of the stage or from a gallery above. Many more people pass by the theatre outside. On the street a palanquin rests on the ground and at the bottom far right, there is a dog and puppies.

Artist / maker

Furuyama, Moromasa

Date

1720

Type

Ink and colour

Location

Art and Design Library

Both Chinese and Japanese artists of this period perfected the art of a linear narrative on a handscroll, to be unrolled in sections from right to left, in segments of approximately 60cm wide. Onlookers would return to the artwork to view the picture as the sections revealed at regular intervals over a period of time. The story develops in time and depicts simultaneous activities in a perspective view. (It is thought that the sections in this case were larger, as depicted here at around 120cm.)

The handscroll was given to Edinburgh Central Library as a gift from the Dyer family. It was painted by Furuyama Moromasa and it is signed 'Nihon eshi Furuyama Moromasa e' [Picture by Furuyama Moromasa, painter of Japan']. He is reputed to have been the son of Furuyama Moroshige (Moronobu's senior pupil). Hishikawa Moronobu (1618-1694) was the leading artist in Edo (Tokyo) and is regarded as the founder of the school of 'Ukiyo-e', known to the west as Pictures of the Floating World - scenes from the theatre and the life of courtesans.

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Related images

Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Fans

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Straw hats

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Clothing and dress > Garments > Loin cloths

People > Entertainment and sports > Actors

People > Entertainment and sports > Artists

Places > Asia > Japan

Sport and leisure > Culture > Musical instruments

Sport and leisure > Culture > Stage

Sport and leisure > Culture > Stage props

Sport and leisure > Culture > Theatres

Transport > Infrastructure > Streets

Transport > Land > Palanquins

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