Artwork Details
Unknown
16-3/16 x 10-3/8 in. (image) 42-1/2 x 13-7/8 in. (mount) 43-1/4 x 15-3/4 in. (installed)
PeriodInscribed, partially unread: Kaminari___koto ha nogarudomo waganasu tsumi ha nogareya____ Rough translation: You might escape the hazards of lightning, but you cannot escape your own evil deeds / Rai yorimo sate osoroshiya akekureni tsukurishi tsumi ni otsuru akushin / Even more fearsome than thunder and lightning are the sins built up every day by one's evil intents.
Accession NumberGift of Harry C. Nail, Jr.
CopyrightPurchased in Japan by Harry C. Nail, Jr.; given to the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 1960.
Raijin, the Japanese mythological god of thunder and lightning, is depicted as a heavily muscled demon-like creature encircled by a ring of drums, which he madly pounds to create thunderclaps. Generally, he is partnered with the god of wind, Fujin, who is usually pictured tightly gripping the mouth of a huge, billowy bag filled with wind. According to Buddhist lore, both were enemies of the Buddha until they were captured by Buddha’s heavenly forces and converted.
Yakko were commoners who served as menservants for the samurai class. They were often characterized as rough, tough and haughty, but here a yakko cowers under a bucket. Roughly translated, the phrases say: "You might escape the hazards of lighting, but you cannot escape the calamities of your evil deeds;" "Even more fearsome than thunder and lightning are the sins built up every day by one’s evil intentions."
Otsu-e were folkish paintings sold to travelers and pilgrims visiting Miidera, a famous temple near the Tokaido post town of Otsu.
Content Disclaimer and Usage Rights
Metadata about the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection comes from Newfields’ records and research. In some cases, information may be incomplete and research is ongoing. Newfields’ goal is to have as up-to-date metadata as possible, therefore, this information is subject to change. Newfields collections’ metadata is available under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) waiver, which allows for re-use without legal restrictions.
Artworks that appear in the image file(s) above may be in copyright or have other legal and/or cultural restrictions to their use. For clarity, Newfields does not claim copyright to the image files created by Newfields of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Newfields makes every effort to ascertain the copyright status of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Please refer to the RightsStatements.org statement above for information about the current copyright status of the artwork. Additionally, some artworks may include Local Context’s Notices or Labels that attribute cultural authority of the artwork’s heritage and data.
Additional information about Newfields’ reproduction guidelines can be found in the Licensing Resources.