Title : The Chinese Sages Kyoyü and Söfu

Artist : Okumura Masanobu

Date : late 1740s

Details : More information...

Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
Browse all 5471 prints...

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-)

Download Image