Festival Scenes1615–99 · Study 1985.279

Context from the museum

Much smaller in size than standard Japanese folding screens, this lively pair depicts all manner of entertainments. Although at first they seem to show an ongoing festival, closer examination reveals that the screens comprise a series of isolated scenes from disparate occasions. In one screen, crowds gather around a bout of sumo wrestling as well as juggling and balancing acts. Elsewhere, teams of men pull a float bearing musicians costumed in foreign dress. There is also a dance circle with drums, a performing monkey, and a party of falconers. In the other screen, male courtiers observe a game of kickball played by noblemen, while their female counterparts watch from behind bamboo curtains. Others enjoy a theater performance. A children’s dance circle and a dance performance with ladies sporting elaborate headgear occupy the center of the screen. A group wielding huge parasols at the upper left of the screen reenacts episodes from legend, as still other performances, including dancing dogs, entertain the crowds below.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Festival Scenes is 208.9 cm wide and 51.1 cm high, equivalent to approximately 82.2 × 20.1 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 4.09:1. The rectangular bounding area is 1.07 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 69.6% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 45.5 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Festival Scenes in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 208.9 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?