ARTIST : The signature reads Hyakujisai Mankai and the seal immediately below it reads Sei in. We have been unable to trace the artist.
AGE : Mid 19th century
SIZE : The screen measures 74 inches across and stands 34.5 inches high.
DESCRIPTION : It is a delightful play on the famous 'Lanting gathering' at the Orchid Pavilion at the foot of Mt. Huiji in Zhejiang province, China. In the spring of the year 353 the renowned calligrapher Wang Xizhi invited 41prominent men to a poetry party. Sitting along the shores of a slowly winding stream, the guests were asked to compose a poem before cups of wine, which had been floated on the stream, were within their reach. The penalty for non-completion of a poem was to drink the wine. Here we have 39 women and two children attending a similarly themed party. Resplendent in their colorful kimono and seated on platforms built above a shallow stream, the ladies are attempting to compose poetry before cups of tea arrive.
TECHNIQUE : Painted on paper with ink, color and gofun.
CONDITION : The screen is in reasonably good condition, and has undergone restoration during the second half of the 20th century. Light foxing is visible in the upper fields and various worm holes have been patched from behind, mostly centered around the hinges. Three of the women have had their hair re-touched.
