Suehirogari
1801-1844
Imagine trying to walk in a kimono that’s wider than you are tall! In this playful illustration, a nobleman is depicted wearing a robe so expansive and patterned with fans that it literally spreads out across the ground like a giant fan itself—a brilliant visual pun on the title 'Suehirogari' (The Spread Fan). A barefoot attendant crouches nearby, dutifully holding a large paper umbrella over the lord, seemingly unfazed by the mountain of fabric. Created by the legendary Hokusai, this piece likely illustrates a scene from a traditional Kyogen comic play, showcasing his talent for humor and exaggerated forms long before he painted the famous Great Wave.
- Technique
- Ink and color on paper
- Material
- Paper