The Tale of Taishokan
1640-80
Medium
Pair of six-panel screens; ink, colors, and gold on paper
Dimensions
Each: 173 × 374 cm (68 1/8 × 147 1/4 in.)
Classification
screen
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
145673
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This screen narrates the medieval Taishokan tale, an action-adventure story that captivated medieval and early modern audiences whether they saw it performed on the Noh, Bunraku or Kabuki stage, or depicted in paintings and prints. The many variants of the tale combine elements from early Japanese mythology and history; 14th-century Buddhist temple origin legend (engi) that reflects continuing anxiety about foreign invasion in the wake of the Mongol attacks of the late 13th century, and Noh play...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...