Title: Court Painting, Dancers performing the Bugaku Dance(?), accompanied by a Drummer, Circa 1800-1900
Condition: Fair
A large, Late Edo to Meiji Period handscroll painting, depicting a court scene with dancers performing what looks to be the Bugaku Dance, accompanied by a drummer. A Japanese traditional dance that has been performed to select elites, Bugaku has existed in the Japanese imperial court, for over twelve hundred years.
The painting has been produced in the style of a Nara Ehon or Yamato-E painting, with gold leaf clouds and bright, popping colors.
During the Edo Period, and with the prevalence and popularity of Nara Ehon books, many artists would produce fan paintings and pieces for folding screens, often covering Heian Period tales and events, with many being assembled to tell entire stories on folding screens or albums, such as the Heike Monogatari, or Genji Monogatari, and others.
One illuminated handscroll painting, 117 x 39 cm
This painting is in fair shape, with creases and cracking to the painting, and some wear as well, with one of the dancer’s faces worn away.