Chūkei Fan with Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou (obverse) and Plum Tree and Young Pines (reverse)

Japan

Not on view

The chūkei folding fan is an important accessory of Noh actors whose decoration varies by role; this type of fan is appropriate for a deity part. One side portrays a legendary encounter between the Queen Mother of the West (Chinese, Xiwangmu; Japanese, Seiōbo) and King Mu of China’s ancient Zhou dynasty (1046–771 B.C.). The queen mother is shown in the garden at left with an attendant carrying the queen’s magical peaches of immortality.

Chūkei Fan with Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou (obverse) and Plum Tree and Young Pines (reverse), Folding fan (chūkei); ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper; bamboo ribs and lacquer, Japan

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Side 2 of 2

Chūkei Fan with Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou (obverse) and Plum Tree and Young Pines (reverse), Folding fan (chūkei); ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper; bamboo ribs and lacquer, Japan
Chūkei Fan with Queen Mother of the West and King Mu of Zhou (obverse) and Plum Tree and Young Pines (reverse), Folding fan (chūkei); ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper; bamboo ribs and lacquer, Japan

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