Ibaraki Fleeing Rashömon
Artist
Shibata Zeshin
(Japanese, 1807–1891)
Dateca. 1850-1872
GeographyJapan
Mediumink and color on paper
Dimensions37 x 52 cm (14 9/16 x 20 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of The James Edward and Mary Louise O'Brien Collection, 1983 (5094.1)
Object number5094.1
DescriptionZeshin chose to depict the oni or demon or witch after her defeat by Watanabe no Tsuna, when she returned to the gate of Rashömon in the guise of an old woman to reclaim her arm that the warrior had earlier cut off. She is depicted in flight, her white kimono and blue over-kimono inflated by the strong breezes, her hair blown forward, her flesh tones flushed red, her mouth open with anguish, her clawed foot clenched and her clawed hand tightly gripping her severed limb. She is surrounded by a large field of open space, the bare paper, with the signature in black ink and the red gourd seal at the lower right corner the only other elements in the composition. The outer mounting is a grey/metallic gold cloud pattern; the inner framing is a blue/gold tapestry.On View
On viewCollections
Kawanabe Kyōsai
early 20th century
