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Happy Forest, from Water Margin
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The Chinese literary classic <em>Water Margin</em> is set in the 1120s and tells the story of 108 outlaws who first rebel against the government and then join forces with it. This painting depicts an episode in which hero Wu Song reclaims the tavern Happy Forest for its rightful owner, the prison warden’s son, Shi En. To prepare for the fight, Wu Song drinks a lot of wine. The painting was inscribed with a quote in which an ally describes Wu Song’s fighting style. It reads as follows:<br><br>Where his twin fists rise, clouds and thunder roar,<br>When his flying kick comes, wind and rain tremble.
| Artist / Maker | Matsumura Goshun |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1700s |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) |
| Medium | hanging scroll; ink and color on paper |
| Dimensions | Image: 137.8 x 41.3 cm (54 1/4 x 16 1/4 in.); Overall: 209.6 x 62.3 cm (82 1/2 x 24 1/2 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Matsumura Goshun (Japanese, 1752–1811) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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