A Courtesan as the Chinese Taoist Sage K'in Kao (Kinko)

Artist/Culture Kitao Shigemasa 北尾重政 (Japanese, 1739–1820)

Dateearly 1770s

MediumWoodblock print, ink and color on paper; nishiki-e; hashira-e

Dimensions68.9 x 11.4 cm (27 1/8 x 4 1/2 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.1193

Label TextAttributed to Kitao Shigemasa (1739-1820) A Courtesan as the Chinese Taoist Sage K'in Kao (Kinko) Early 1770s Woodblock print, ink and color on paper; nishiki-e; hashira-e John Chandler Bancroft Collection, 1901.1193 Shigemasa was a superb calligrapher, poet and largely self-taught artist who illustrated many books. During the late 1760s and early 70s his works showed the influence of Harunobu's style. In this fanciful transposition (mitate) Shigemasa depicted a courtesan as K'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. WheProvenanceJohn Chandler Bancroft, Boston, MA

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