Procession of Korean Ambassadors [entire scroll]

Material Information

Title:
Procession of Korean Ambassadors [entire scroll] MS 86566
Series Title:
Objects of instruction : treasures of SOAS
Added title page title:
Chôsen shisetsu gyôretsu zukan [entire scroll]
Creator:
Kanō Tōun Masunobu, 1625-1694
Place of Publication:
Japan
Publication Date:
Materials:
Paper ( medium )
Measurements:
33.3 x 1246 cm. in
Technique:
Handscroll, ink, colour and gold on paper

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Ambassadors
Processions
Parades
대사
행렬
퍼레이드
大使
行進
パレード
Spatial Coverage:
アジア -- 日本
Asia -- Japan
아시아 -- 한국
Asia -- Korea
아시아 -- 일본
アジア -- 韓国

Notes

Scope and Content:
This handscroll painting, over 12 metres in length, captures the pageantry surrounding a Korean delegation to Japan in the mid-seventeenth century. Delegations were periodically dispatched from Joseon Korea to Tsushima in southern Japan, and would go with samurai escorts by sea to Osaka, and thence along the Tokaido (Eastern Seacost Highway) to Edo, for an audience with the shogun. The procession typically included three ambassadors with a large entourage of guards, scholars, musicians and entertainers, many on horseback. This work is traditionally attributed to Kano Masunobu (1625-1694), who was commissioned to make a folding screen with scenes of the 1655 delegation. It seems more likely, however, that this scroll was created by local artists commissioned by the daimyo (military chieftain) of the Tsushima clan, also probably in connection with the 1655 visit of Korean ambassadors. (Text by John Carpenter and Yoshiko Yasumura, from the exhibition catalogue: Objects of instruction : treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Anna Contadini, Editor. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007.) ( en )
Funding:
Purchased by SOAS, University of London in 1950.
Creation/Production Credits:
Created in Japan, mid-17th century.
Funding:
The 'Objects of instruction : the treasures of SOAS' exhibition was funded through a generous gift from the Foyle Foundation and with the support of the Arts & Humanities Research Council.
Funding:
SOAS received the generous support of a grant from The Sumitomo Foundation for rebacking and conservation.
Citation/Reference:
Cited in: Objects of instruction : treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Anna Contadini, Editor. London : SOAS, University of London, 2007. Listed as object number 20.

Record Information

Source Institution:
SOAS, University of London
Holding Location:
SOAS, University of London
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier:
MS 86566 ( accession number )