UNSIGNED, EDO PERIOD (SECOND HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURY)

Details

A Pair of Scrolls Entitled Junikagetsu Asobi [Pleasures of the Twelve Months]
Unsigned, Edo Period (Second Half of the 17th Century)
Ink, colour and gold pigment on paper, and ink and gold pigment on paper; the first comprising fourteen sheets of calligraphy over a gold decorated background and six illustrations, the first of them 37 3/16in. (94.5cm.) long, the remainder 19 5/16in.(49.0cm.) long; the second comprising thirteen sheets of calligraphy over a gold decorated background, and six illustrations of the same lengths as the first scroll; gold endpapers; brocade covers; original title slips ink on gold paper; in inscribed wood storage box
Overall dimensions 12 15/16 x 28ft. 2in. (32.9 x 859.5 cm.) (2)

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Lot Essay

During the mid to late 17th century, scrolls illustrating the seasonal festivals of Kyoto were popular as souvenirs of visits to the capital. Painted by eya [journeymen artisans in professional ateliers] in a style also seen in the better-known screens of Kyoto life, they record the monthly celebrations and festivals that took place within the city and surrounding countryside. The present pair of scrolls are unusual in that the illustrations are accompanied by long descriptive texts. The twelve scenes are as follows:

The First Month: New Year's Day, still one of the most popular festivals
The Second Month: Temple visits marking the anniversary of the Death of the Buddha

The Third Month: Cock-fighting

The Fourth Month: A wisteria-viewing party

The Fifth Month: Boys' Day: miniature helmets and flags are presented to new-born baby boys

The Sixth Month: The Gion Festival in Kyoto

The Seventh Month: A blind man dancing

The Eighth Month (see illustration): A moon-viewing party

The Ninth Month: Chrysanthemum-viewing at Kyoto and Takao

The Tenth Month: Viewing autumn foliage at Kyoto and Takao

The Eleventh Month: Fires welcoming the gods back from their annual visit to the Grand Shrine at Izumo

The Twelfth Month: Preparations for the New Year: selling dolls and settling debts

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