H x W (image): 113.8 x 41.3 cm (44 13/16 x 16 1/4 in)
Type:
Painting
Origin:
Japan
Date:
1868-1912
Period:
Meiji era
Description:
The subject of this scroll reflects a thirteenth-century Japanese account recorded in the Senjusho of an encounter between the monk and poet Saigyo and the courtesan Eguchi, who was one of many prostitutes living in the town Eguchi along the Yodo River. The scene depicts a subject often treated in Ukiyo-e paintings of beauties: the courtesan Eguchi seated on an elephant in parody of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra (Fugen). Scroll contained in original wooden box with lid and painted inscription.
