A Courtesan as Kinko (Kinko)

Artist Okumura Masanobu 奥村政信 (Japanese, 1686–1764)

Dateabout 1710

Mediumwoodblock print; ink on paper, sumizuri-e

Dimensions28.6 x 41.9 cm (11 1/4 x 16 1/2 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

MarkingsPublisher: Mark of "Iga-ya, publisher at Motohama-cho" (Motohama-cho Iga-ya hanmoto)

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.59.2213

DescriptionHorizontal oban (oban yoko-e)
Label TextK'in Kao (Kinko in Japanese), a Taoist sage skilled at playing the Chinese lute, reciting magical incantations and depicting fish. According to a legend the Fish King suddenly appeared in the river and offered to lead Kinko through his world. Kinko informed his disciples that he would be away and left to accompany the Fish King. When he returned a month later, riding on the back of a carp, he was greeted by thousands of people who were waiting for him while conducting purification rites on the riverbanks. After urging his students never to kill fish, Kinko dove back into the river and disappeared forever. This print is depicts a fanciful transposition (mitate) of Kinko in the guise of a Japanese courtesan riding on the back of an enormous carp, accompanied by two girl attendants.

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