Early Japanese Framed Painting, Originally a Scroll: Monkeys in a Tree
Early Japanese painting in ink on paper of monkeys in a tree, one of which is reaching for the reflection of the moon. This is a popular Buddhist motif. The monkey reaches for a reflection of the moon, ignoring the real moon, even though he can never grasp it. The fable reminds us not to be distracted by reflections or reach for illusions. Signature reads: Oguri Soutan. Soutan (1413 - 1481) was the official painter to the Muromachi shogunate.
- Period
- Muromachi period (15th century)
- Origin
- Japan
- Dimensions
- 57" h x 29" w
- 144.8cm h x 73.7cm w
- Item #
- SC1019