Parody of the Legend of Xu You and Chao Fu

ca. 1715

Not on view

In a highly amusing and complicated mitate version of this legend, Xu You appears as an embarrassed, two-timing Edo lover and Chao Fu as his reproachful mistress. He is washing out his ears in a desperate effort to convince her that he knows absolutely nothing of a letter from her rival. The letter discovered by the mistress is seen in the mouth of her cat. The classical allusion is veiled in the painted cascade that is part of the interior decor.

Artwork Details

Title: Parody of the Legend of Xu You and Chao Fu
Artist: Okumura Masanobu (Japanese, 1686–1764)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1715
Culture: Japan
Medium: Monochrome woodblock print (sumie); ink on paper
Dimensions: 11 3/8 x 16 1/4 in. (28.9 x 41.3 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936
Object Number: JP2637
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Woman with Toys for the Boys' Festival, Okumura Masanobu Japanese, Woodblock print (hand colored); ink and color on paper, Japan — Woman with Toys for the Boys' Festival
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Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Matsukaze Murasame, Hishikawa Moronobu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper (sumi-e (ink print), Japan — Matsukaze Murasame
Hishikawa Moronobu
ca. 1675–80

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