4/18/2006

National Treasure–Scroll of Frolicking Animals (Choju giga)

Precious picture scrolls to be exhibited
Yomiuri.co.jp, Apr. 17, 2006: An exhibition featuring more than 50 sets of seldom-seen picture scrolls created from the Heian period (794-1192) to the Edo period (1603-1867) will be held at the Kyoto National Museum…The exhibition has been organized by The Yomiuri Shimbun, the Kyoto National Museum, NHK Kyoto Station and NHK Kinki Media Plan…..

Ok, ok, these kinky scrolls are from the Kinki district around the old capital of Japan Kyoto. Still they are charming and the Japanese like to brag that the strolls are, “a precursor to manga comic books and animated films” in their, “use of illustrations [that] enlivens the stories.” Whatever.

For more scroll pictures and details as well as the exhibit location and times, visit the offical website of the Kyoto National Museum.