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Palace and horserace at Kamo Shrine

approx. 1615-1650

Asian Art Museum

Asian Art Museum
San Francisco, United States

二条城・賀茂競馬図屏風 江戸時代 17世紀
六曲一双 紙本金地着色
This pair of screens (with B60D81+) depicts two of Kyoto's famous places, a palace in the right screen and a horserace at Kamo Shrine in the left. Most likely Nijo Palace, built in 1600 by Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542–1616), the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, the palace was constructed to serve as the residence of the shogun when he visited Kyoto from Edo (present-day Tokyo), where he received visits by imperial courtiers. This screen shows a cart that has been pulled by an ox across the bridge over the moat that surrounds the buildings; two courtiers are standing by the cart. Samurai officials are seated in rows on both sides of the wide pathway; and mounted samurai officials are getting ready to line up.
The left screen depicts a horserace taking place in the Kamo Shrine compound. The race was part of the shrine's Shinto ceremonial. In this contest between two groups of ten riders specially dressed for the occasion, one rider from each group would race to the goal, where judges waited. The winners were rewarded, usually with rolls of white silk.
The scene shows two riders engaged in a heated race on a track bordered by temporary fences. Many spectators are watching from both sides of the track.

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  • Title: Palace and horserace at Kamo Shrine
  • Date Created: approx. 1615-1650
  • Location Created: Japan
  • Physical Dimensions: H. 64.3 in x W. 140.9 in, H. 163.4 cm x W. 357.8 cm
  • Rights: Public Domain
  • Medium: Ink, colors and gold on paper
  • Credit Line: Asian Art Museum, The Avery Brundage Collection, B60D79+
Asian Art Museum

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