Title : Hankai invades the Party at the Kömon Gate

Artist : Katsukawa Shunrö

Date : c. 1790

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : This “perspective picture” (uki-e) from the period in which Hokusai used the name Shunrö depicts a Chinese historical subject, the “Feast at Hong Gate” (in Japanese, Kömon). During this celebration, the founder of the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-221 A.D.), Liu Bang, was threatened by an assassination attempt, and his loyal bodyguard, Fan Kuai (Japanese Hankai), intruded into the banquet in full armor to protect him, upsetting but also impressing the host (who was behind the assassination). Here Fan Kuai is shown rushing into the hall, while the host looks on in consternation. Hokusai draws from both traditional Chinese jiehua (“ruled line drawing”) for depicting architecture, and Western perspective. The latter technique would have been learned through the study of European engravings brought to Japan by Dutch and Chinese traders, and also of Chinese engravings modeled after European originals. In this regard, the nearby engraving by the great Dutch artist Harmensz van Rijn Rembrandt makes for a particularly interesting comparison with this print by Hokusai. “Hokusai’s Summit: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” (09/24/2009-01/06/2010) ******************************

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