Kozuka with Scene of Bean Throwing Custom ("Mame maki")

Description The scene on this kozuka shows a Japanese custom performed on the last day of winter, February 3rd. Dried soybeans are thrown to chase out demons ("oni") and bring good luck for the coming year. A woman is shown in a hut throwing soybeans, while a demon hides in an overturned vessel.

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

Inscriptions [Signature] 永秀; [Translation] Nagahide

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters