Staff and Fly Swatter

Suiō Genro, 1716 - 1789

Important priests are normally depicted in full regalia, but this is different in Zen paintings. There, a portrait of a priest is often reduced to his attributes: a staff and a fly swatter as symbols of authority. The fly swatter also stands for ‘sweeping away’ evil influences, obstacles and ignorance.

  • Artwork typehanging scroll
  • Object numberAK-MAK-1800
  • Dimensionsheight 111.2 cm x width 21.7 cm
  • Physical characteristicsinkt op papier

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Staff and Fly Swatter

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-1800

  • Description

    Staff & hossu.

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Suiō Genro

  • Dating

    1716 - 1789

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    inkt op papier

  • Dimensions

    height 111.2 cm x width 21.7 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (gift F. Hess, 2018)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

  • Menno Fitski, 'Het geluid van kikkers. De passie van Felix Hess voor Japanse zenschilderkunst', Aziatische Kunst 50/3 (2020), pp. 69-81.

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