Title: Momijigari (Maple Viewing), Circa 1750-1850. A Hanging Scroll Painting Taira no Tomomori and his Company being Seduced by a Demon Disguised as a Beautiful Woman, and her Attendants
Author: Signed Momo Gu
Condition: Vey Good
A Mid to Late Edo Period, 18th to mid 19th century painting, depicting a primary scene from the Noh Play Momijigari, also known as Maple Viewing.
The painting is finely made, with detail to the highborn woman and her kimono, and the red garments of each woman vividly colored, perhaps to hint at their demonic nature. The vestments of the women also seem to be painted with silver painting, glinting nicely.
First written by Kanze Nobumitsu (Died 1516) in the late Muromachi Period, the play depicts a stunningly beautiful woman of high rank, and her retinue of female attendants visiting the mountain of Togakushi-yama for the seasonal maple-leaf viewing and commencing a banquest.
During this, the warrior Taira no Koremochi, out on a deer hunt, approaches, but decides to dismount and walk by without disturbing the revelers. However, the highborn lady seduces him into drinking ake with her, and while a furious dance commences, Koremochi falls into what seems like a never-ending slumber.
However, just as he is about to be lost, he is saved by a deity of the Take-uji, stating that the lady is a demon, and hands him a divine sword.
Upon awakening, the lady has transformed into a ferocious demon, and a battle commences, with Koremochi striking the demon down.
The scenery of autumn leaves and the appearance, revelry, and dance of a group of beautiful women are the highlights of the first act and this painting, which then suddenly changes to a flashy, fierce battle in the second act. Most likely, there was a sister painting to go with this.
The painting has been signed Momo Gū, with a red artist seal, though it is not an artist I can readily identify.
The painting has been neatly mounted onto a brocade decorated kakejiku (hanging scroll), with jikusaki (knobs) made of lacquered wood. There is a wooden box to accompany it, preserving the scroll.
One painting mounted on a kakejiku (hanging scroll), 106 x 48 cm full size, 24 x 43.5 cm main painting
This painting is in very good shape, with very little rubbing or wear to the brocade and back of the canvas, and very light, foxing and spotting to the painting, and a few roll creases.