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[Image: Illustrated scroll, The Tale of Princess Jōruri, attributed to Iwasa Matabei, 17th century (Edo period), Important Cultural Property Chapter 3 (part)]

Legendary Iwasa Matabei and His Three Epic Scrolls of Tales

MOA Museum of Art

Finished

Artists

Matabei Iwasa

A seventeenth-century artist, Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650, aka Katsumochi), enjoyed a successful career as a painter, famous for his characteristic drawing of people with roundish, elongated heads and the unique combination of Japanese and Chinese painting styles. Dubbed “Ukiyo-Matabei,” he was regarded as the father of the ukiyoe culture that flourished later. However, he was also an elusive figure despite his popularity.

Themes for his paintings were wide, from Chinese and Japanese literary classics to contemporary genre paintings. In particular, his works of scrolls illustrating “joruri” puppet plays with scripts. This exhibition offers an opportunity to view three of the most renowned joruri illustrated scrolls: The tales of Yoamanaka Tokiwa, of Princess Joruri, and of Horie. These three works represent Matabei’s heart and soul, forming a body of his masterpieces and invaluable resources to learn about his artistic achievements.

Schedule

Mar 12 (Fri) 2021-Apr 20 (Tue) 2021

Opening Hours Information

Hours	9:30-16:30 (Last Admission 16:00)
Closed	Thursday Open on public holiday Thursday but closed on the following day. Closed in between exhibitions.

Fee

Adults ¥1760; University and High School Students ¥1100; Seniors 65 & Over ¥1540; Junior High School Students and Under, Persons with Disability Certificates + 2 Companion free

Website

http://www.moaart.or.jp/en/?event=matabei