Story of the Great Woven Cap (Taishokan)
Artist:
Unknown
Culture: Japanese
Period: Edo period
Date: early 18th century
Place made:Japan
General region:Asia
Dimensions:
67 x 149 in. (170.2 x 378.5 cm), each
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of David Douglas Duncan in memory of Stanley Marcus
Object number: 2001.48.1.a-b
Label Text
The Taishokan is a ballad drama that emerged in 15th century Japan, and enjoyed popularity in succeeding centuries as a play and as a subject of painting on screens and scrolls. It is an origin story of the powerful Fujiwara family who maintained near royal status throughout Japanese history until the modern period.
During the 7th century, a precious jewel, a gift from the Chinese emperor to the nobleman father of his Japanese bride, was stolen during its transport from China to Japan by the Dragon King of the Sea. Determined to retrieve the jewel, the nobleman goes to the sea and persuades a female diver to go to the Dragon King’s palace for the jewel. She succeeds in the theft, and hides the jewel in her body, but she is killed when she reaches shore. Her son becomes the nobleman’s heir, thus establishing the Fujiwara family as one that could claim ties to supernatural beings.
During the 7th century, a precious jewel, a gift from the Chinese emperor to the nobleman father of his Japanese bride, was stolen during its transport from China to Japan by the Dragon King of the Sea. Determined to retrieve the jewel, the nobleman goes to the sea and persuades a female diver to go to the Dragon King’s palace for the jewel. She succeeds in the theft, and hides the jewel in her body, but she is killed when she reaches shore. Her son becomes the nobleman’s heir, thus establishing the Fujiwara family as one that could claim ties to supernatural beings.
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
