About “Choju-Giga”

For popular Japanese art, nothing compares to “Choju-Giga”. Regardless of its high recognition, however, its true identity remains mysterious. The primary objective in this chapter is to carefully view the four scrolls of “Choju-Giga” to study the style, contents, and characteristics of each scroll. At the same time, the discovered fragments of the article and replicas with unseen segments will be displayed to complete the picture of “Choju-Giga” today.

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National Treasure Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga emaki (Kou kan) Part of piece Heian period Kosan-ji Temple

National Treasure Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga emaki (Tei kan) Part of piece Heian period Kosan-ji Temple

National Treasure Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga emaki (Otsu kan) Part of piece Heian period Kosan-ji Temple

National Treasure Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga emaki (Hei kan) Part of piece Heian period Kosan-ji Temple

Genealogy of “Choju-Giga

Articles closely related to “Choju-Giga” are explored in this chapter. Firstly, the focus is placed on “Mikkyô Zuzô (the Journal of Buddhist Iconography)” and “Nenju Gyoji emaki (Picture Scrolls of Annual Functions)”, in examination of the unknown creator of “Choju-Giga”. Secondly, with an emphasis on the monochromatic line drawing with humorous expressions of animals and humans, this chapter introduces articles in the genealogy of “giga (caricature)” and “hakubyo (brush-line drawing)”. Finally, examples of stories with animal personification as seen in the vibrant characterization found in Scroll Ko of “Choju-Giga” will also be exhibited.

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Amida(Amitâbha) Drawing Mankind into Spiritual Enlightenment Heian period

Earthenware Dish with Illustration Nara period Nara Institute of Cultural Properties

Contest of Breaking Winds Muromachi period Suntory Museum of Art

The Sparrow Story Muromachi period Suntory Museum of Art

The Mouse Story Momoyama period Suntory Museum of Art