Large votive nanban picture
Price: € 1.500,00
A large wooden ô-ema 大絵馬 (large votive picture), painted in polychrome with a detailed depiction of a shuinsen 朱印船 (red seal ship) crowded with figures.
The composition shows a large Japanese red seal trading vessel under full sail, filled with merchants, sailors, musicians and elegantly dressed passengers gathered in festive celebration. Beneath the richly decorated stern cabin sits the ship’s captain, while a Nanban-jin 南蛮人 (European, literally “Southern Barbarian”), in this case a Portuguese man, is depicted among the passengers, reflecting the international character of Japan’s overseas trade during the early Edo period. The ship is shown cutting through stylised waves, with its towering masts, elaborate rigging and richly ornamented superstructure.
Such ô-ema were dedicated to Shintô shrines and Buddhist temples as votive offerings, often expressing prayers for prosperity, successful trade or, in the case of maritime subjects such as this, a safe voyage. This example appears to follow a well-known early Edo composition depicting a shuinsen, based on votive paintings dedicated by wealthy merchants after receiving official permission from the Tokugawa bakufu to engage in overseas trade. Variations of this design were preserved, copied and repainted throughout the Edo period and into the Meiji period for continued devotional use.
Mounted in its original gabled wooden frame. Panel and frame made of sugi (cedar) wood.
Period: Japan, – Meiji period (second half 19th century).
Dimensions: Height: 58.5 cm; Width: 85.5 cm; Depth: 2.5 cm.
The ô-ema is in good condition with traces of wear, horizontal shrinkage crack, age-related craquelure, rubbing and minor losses to the painted surface and frame, consistent with its age and long display. Please refer to the photographs for a clear impression of the condition.
When shipped, a certificate of authenticity will be included.
