Merrymaking at a Mansion

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Number of components: Six-panel folding screen
Format and materials: Color on paper
Dimensions (in cm): L. 82.0, W. 271.9
Date of production: Edo period 17th century Kan'ei period (1624-1644)

Merrymaking at a Mansion is a masterpiece that depicts the amusements inside and outside a mansion. In the grounds, we see people indulging in merrymaking including a party who is amusing themselves with a card game, and others are appreciating the dance performed with musical accompaniment on the shamisen. A courtesan is plying male guests with sake. In the garden, we see people dancing in a circle to the accompaniment of shamisen and hand drums. There is a bath on the left where women in undergarments are tending to male guests. The composition with its heavy use of vertical and horizontal lines suggests that the screen was painted in the Kan'ei era (1624-44).

Notable Works

Merrymaking at a Mansion

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART