The Tale of Usugumo, first half 18th century
Miyagawa Chōshunexpand_more
Ink, color, and gold on silkexpand_more
Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundationexpand_more 2015.79.114
Not on Viewexpand_more
The Tale of Usugumo follows a young nobleman from the northern province of Mutsu who paid frequent visits to the courtesan Usugumo in the New Yoshiwara pleasure quarter. The tale was not disseminated broadly; this handscroll is the only known extant copy. According to the postscript, the scroll once included a note and signature by the courtesan Usugumo herself, hinting at a close connection between her and the scroll owner of the scroll.
This handscroll has led a life of its own, encapsulated in its current appearance. The work was significantly damaged in a fire, which resulted in the loss of about one third of the tale’s text and illustrations. The burnt scroll was remounted on a handscroll and decorated with gold flecks.
Details
- Title
- The Tale of Usugumo
- Artist Life
- 1682 - 1752
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.79.114
- Provenance
- Baba Zuiō; Kuki Ryūichi; Kuki Saburō (Baron Kuki, Director of the Tokyo National Museum (in the Meiji period) and his son, Saburo Kuki.) Richard Lane until June, 1967 Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 263
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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