Fuchi with Chinese-style Lion and Peony

Description A Chinese-style lion ("shishi") is depicted on the front of the fuchi. This motif developed from images of lions imported to Japan from China. Lions were not native to Japan, so artists were not able to draw them from life. A peony is on the reverse.

Provenance Rev. Winthrop Brainerd, Washington, D.C. [date and mode of acquistion unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1992, by gift.

Inscriptions [Signature] 柳川直時; [Translation] Yanagawa Naotoki

Credit Gift of Rev. Winthrop Brainerd, 1992