Rat (Ne): Raigō, from the series Bravery Matched with the Twelve Animals of the Zodiac (Buyū mitate jūnishi)

Maker(s)
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳 (1798-1861)
Publisher: Minatoya Kohei (Kinsendō) 湊屋小兵衛 ((active c. 1841–1862))
Historical period(s)
Edo period, ca. 1840
Medium
Ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 36.6 x 12.5 cm (14 7/16 x 4 15/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
The Anne van Biema Collection
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S2004.3.168.1
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Print
Type

Woodblock print

Keywords
Anne van Biema collection, Buddhism, Eastern zodiac, Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, priest, rat, sutra, ukiyo-e
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Raigo (1002-1086) a Buddhist priest of the Miidera temple, vents his fury at the emperor's refusal to build an ordination platform for his temple in recognition of Raigo's successful prayers for the birth of the emperor's son. Bitterly disappointed, Raigo vowed to starve himself to death, and to end the young prince's life as well. The story of Raigo became popular during the Edo period, when its theme of opposition to injustice was recounted in popular literature, kabuki, and prints. Raigo-;here associated with the rat, the first animal in the zodiac cycle-holds an unrolled Buddhist sutra that he transforms into rats through his magical powers. In other versions of the story, Raigo transforms himself into a rat or a colony of rats and continuously devours the temple's precious sutras destroying the very scriptures that once inspired him.


Published References
  • Ann Yonemura, et al. Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection. Seattle and Washington. cat. 80, p.2 14-5, 216-17.
  • Robert T. Singer. The Life of Animals in Japanese Art. Exh. cat. Princeton, New Jersey. p 48, fig 10A.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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