Urashima Tarō Riding on a Tortoise
after 1888
In this whimsical hanging scroll, the legendary fisherman Urashima Tarō is caught mid-journey, riding a giant tortoise toward a misty, floating palace in the sky. Dressed in traditional blue robes and clutching a fishing rod, he looks up in wonder at the Dragon Palace (Ryugu-jo), the underwater realm he's about to visit as a reward for saving the turtle's life. Kawanabe Kyōsai, a playful and rebellious artist known as the 'Goblin of Painting,' brings this classic Japanese folktale to life with loose, expressive brushstrokes and a touch of humor. The scene captures the exact moment of magic before Tarō enters a world where time moves differently, a story that has fascinated Japan for centuries.
- Technique
- ink and color on paper
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