Fuchi with Chôryô Holding Kôsekikô's Shoe

Description The figure on this fuchi is the Chinese government minister Chôryô (Ch. Zhang Liang [Chang Liang]), who lived in the 3rd century BC. In his hand is a shoe belonging to the legendary elder Kôsekikô (Ch. Huangshi Gong [Hwang Shi Kung]). While riding a mule across a bridge, Kôsekikô dropped his sandal. Chôryô returned it to him. As a reward, Kôsekikô gave Chôryô a book of military strategy. Later, Chôryô helped to establish the Han [Han] Dynasty (207 BC-AD 220). This fuchi is paired with a kashira depicting Kôsekikô, Walters 51.981.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] Shigeyuki

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters