Kozuka with Chinnan Summoning a Dragon from a Mud Pond

Description The Chinese immortal Chinnan (Ch. Chennan [Ch'en Nan]) is known for summoning a dragon from dry mud to bring rain in a drought stricken area. Here, he is shown with a stick in his hand that he thrust into the dirt to rouse the dragon. The dragon is in the mud at the bottom. The artist signed the kozuka on the reverse.

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

Inscriptions [Signature] 元孚; [Translation] Motozane

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters