Great woven cap (Taishokan) from the Picture scrolls of ballad dramas (Mai no hon emaki)

Unknown

Handscroll from the 'Picture scrolls of ballad dramas' (Mai no hon emaki) painted in ink, colours and gold on paper in Japan in the mid-17th century. This is one of six illustrated handscrolls in the Chester Beatty collection that tell stories from Japan's Kōwaka mai ballad dramas. Combining alternating sections of text and illustrations, these scrolls would have belonged to a larger set. This scroll tells the legend of the 'Great woven cap' (Taishokan). The great woven cap is worn by Japan's highest official, and in this story refers to Kamatari, Minister of State. When Kamatari's daughter sends him treasures for the temple he is establishing, the Dragon King attempts to seize them for his underwater palace.