Disease and Folklore in Everyday Culture: Netsuke of Shoki's Dream

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

The Netsuke of Shoki’s Dream from the Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk represents the breakdown of class barriers and the threat of disease during the Edo era of Japan (Fig. 1). Although knowledge on the background of this specific Netsuke is limited, scholars have previously theorized a connection between depictions of Shoki’s dream and smallpox outbreaks in China and Japan (Fig. 2).1 Similarly, scholars have examined the value of materials used in Netsukerelative to the wealth and class of the commissioner. Examining this Netsuke through an epidemiological lens as well as an art history lens provides more specific insight into the intention behind its creation and what purpose it served.

Presenting Author Name/s

Olivia Zummo

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Dr. Agnieszka Whelan

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Art History

College Affiliation

College of Arts & Letters

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Disciplines

Asian Art and Architecture

Session Title

Art History Session 3 - Art History in Action

Location

Learning Commons @Perry Library, Room 1306

Start Date

3-30-2024 12:00 PM

End Date

3-30-2024 1:00 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Mar 30th, 12:00 PM Mar 30th, 1:00 PM

Disease and Folklore in Everyday Culture: Netsuke of Shoki's Dream

Learning Commons @Perry Library, Room 1306

The Netsuke of Shoki’s Dream from the Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk represents the breakdown of class barriers and the threat of disease during the Edo era of Japan (Fig. 1). Although knowledge on the background of this specific Netsuke is limited, scholars have previously theorized a connection between depictions of Shoki’s dream and smallpox outbreaks in China and Japan (Fig. 2).1 Similarly, scholars have examined the value of materials used in Netsukerelative to the wealth and class of the commissioner. Examining this Netsuke through an epidemiological lens as well as an art history lens provides more specific insight into the intention behind its creation and what purpose it served.