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Folding Fan Painted fan of paper with bamboo spokes. Decorated with a Daruma painted in black ink, red tempera and pencil, in Zen style with the painting extending over several bamboo sticks. The sticks are held together by a small black plastic pin. At the bottom of the fan is a red artists chop and some calligraphy above it. The size is that of a tea ceremony fan. Daruma is the Japanese name for Dharma, an Indian priest who founded the Zen sect of Buddhism. He is a popular relgious figure, famed for his meditation practice. His image is particularly associated with new year celebrations. The dynamic brushwork and religious theme is reminiscent of Otsu-e. In the 17th C. artisans in the town of Otsu began to sell religiously inspired crafts to Buddhist travelers since the town was a major stop on the pilgrimage route to Kyoto. (from Yo no Bi, The Beauty of Japanese Art by William Rathbun UWPress)

1994.031.014