East Asian Art "Red-Seal" Ship Companion to Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1953-32-1 Made in Japan, AsiaEdo Period (1615-1868), Early 17th century Artist/maker unknown, Japanese Ink, color, and gold on paper; mounted as one of a pair of six-fold screens Currently not on view 1938-31-1 Gift of Mrs. G. Brinton Roberts, 1938 |
LabelFrom 1604 until 1635, the Japanese government granted "red-seal" licenses to oceangoing merchant ships to trade with regions south of Japan, including Indochina, the Philippines, Macao, and Taiwan. On this screen, Japanese and Portuguese sailors (the earliest Europeans to come to Japan) drink, smoke, and play go on deck as musicians and a dancer entertain a group on the stern of the ship. |
