The Courier of Canton Dreaming of Himself as a Daimyo (Hikyaku Kantan, Yume no daimyo)

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

Dateabout 1710

MediumWoodblock print; ink on paper; sumizuri-e

Dimensions26.7 x 35.9 cm (10 1/2 x 14 1/8 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.310

DescriptionHorizontal oban (oban yoko-e)
Label TextThe print shows a courier asleep on a riverbank, his head resting on the palms of both hands. He dreams that he is a daimyo traveling on horseback, leading a procession of retainers. The character of the crest on his sleeve "Ka" stands for Kantan (i.e., Canton).This is a parody (mitate) of the legend of Rosei (Ch.: Chao Lu Sheng) who set out for the Chinese capitol to seek an appointment as an imperial councilor. In Canton (Kantan) he met a sage near who presented him with a magic pillow upon which he rested his head and fell asleep. He had become a Minister of State but also that his son accidentally drowns. Upon awakening he is convinced of the transitory character of earthly success and possessions and trudged back home to retire to a life of meditation. A Japanese version of the story makes the courier drea

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