The Immortals Gama Sennin and Tekkai Sennin, early 19th century, Kuroda Ryōzan, Japanese, 1755 - 1814, 52 3/4 × 22 5/16 in. (133.99 × 56.67 cm) (image, L screen)52 13/16 × 22 5/16 in. (134.14 × 56.67 cm) (image, R screen)66 3/4 × 69 5/8 × 11/16 in. (169.55 × 176.85 × 1.75 cm) (mount), Two-panel folding screen; ink and light colors on paper, Japan, 19th century, This two-panel screen depicts the Daoist immortals, Gama Sennin (Chin. Liu Hai) and Tekkai Sennin (Chin. Li Tieguai). The two were often paired in Japanese and Chinese art because of their corresponding supernatural powers. Depicted on the right is Gama Sennin, known literally as the ‘toad hermit,’ a character based on the historical civil servant and alchemist Liu Hai of 10th century China. Various accounts associate Gama with a large, three-legged toad by which he can be identified. Gama was thought to be able to release his spirit from his body, metamorphose, and fly with the aid of his magical companion. Chinese prototypes of this theme sometimes represent the immortal sitting on or resting his foot on the animal and holding a string of gold coins, with which he is supposed to have lured the toad from its hiding place in a well. Here, however, Kuroda Ryōzan has depicted the relationship between his subjects as one of affection rather than of conquest. Gama’s flattened head, broad nose, and wide grin convey an eccentric character and otherworldly nature.
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Immortals Gama Sennin, Tekkai Sennin, early 19th century, Kuroda Ryōzan, Japanese, 1755 - 1814, image, L screen, image, R screen, Chin, Liu Hai, Tekkai Sennin, Chin, Li Tieguai, two, paired, Japanese, Chinese art, corresponding supernatural powers, Depicted, right, Gama Sennin, literally, 'toad hermit, character based, historical civil servant, alchemist Liu Hai, 10th century China, Various accounts associate Gama, large, three-legged toad, identified, Gama, thought, able, release, spirit, body, metamorphose, fly, aid, magical companion, Chinese prototypes, theme sometimes represent, immortal sitting, resting, foot, animal, holding, string, gold coins, supposed, lured, toad, hiding place, well, Kuroda Ryōzan, depicted, relationship, subjects, affection, conquest, Gama's flattened head, broad nose, wide grin convey, eccentric character, otherworldly nature, mount, Two-panel folding screen, ink, light colors, paper, Japan, 19th century, two-panel screen depicts, Daoist immortals, Gama Sennin
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