Catalog record · 目録番号 90610
The Chinese Sages Kyoyü and Söfu
Catalog note / 解説
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-)
Image record / 画像情報
Honolulu · late 1740s · honolulu
The catalog page is text-only. The reviewed image is available in the Ukiyo-e app for iPhone and iPad.