Nine-Tailed-Turtle Tao Zongwang
- Date:
- 1868, 7th lunar month
- Medium:
- Preparatory drawing for a print, ink and color on paper
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 40.2 × 27.3 cm
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
"Nine-Tailed-Turtle Tao Zongwang" is a preparatory drawing from 1868 depicting a character from the Chinese novel "Water Margin" (Suikoden)—Zhang Shun, whose nickname "Nine-Tailed Turtle" referred to his extraordinary swimming ability. The drawing shows the character in a river battle or fishing scene consistent with his role as a water expert and ferryman among the 108 heroes. Yoshitoshi's sustained engagement with Suikoden subjects throughout his career reflects the novel's extraordinary popularity among Japanese readers and print collectors.
More Prints by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
More Animals Prints
Snake Charmers (Hebizukai)
Hebizukai
1932
Color woodblock print; oban
Hoshifuri Pine at Zen'yoji Temple in Edogawa (Edogawa-ku Zen'yoji Hoshifuri matsu), from the series "One Hundred Views of Great Tokyo in the Showa Era (Showa dai Tokyo fukei hyaku zue hanga)"
1935
Color woodblock print; oban
Drawing for Rabbit and Boy
1964
Acrylic paint and oil pastel with oiled charcoal and ink over an ink and graphite underdrawing on paper
Rabbit and Boy
1964
Color lithograph with relief block and hand coloring; edition 35/36
Frequently Asked Questions
Nine-Tailed-Turtle Tao Zongwang was created by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年) in 1868, 7th lunar month.
Nine-Tailed-Turtle Tao Zongwang depicts animals.
Nine-Tailed-Turtle Tao Zongwang measures 40.2 × 27.3 cm (Oban format).