Late 18th Century Japanese Framed Painting, God of Thunder by Yamaguchi Soken

Yamaguchi Soken (1759-1818)

Mid to Late Edo period, circa 1800.

Framed painting. Ink and light color on paper.

This humorous painting depicts the Thunder God, Raijin, tumbling from the sky, presumably being struck down by one of his own lighting bolts. He clings to one drumstick as the other is in free-fall along with his Taiko drums, which he was using to whip up the storm. For its time, Soken’s version is unique. Compared to the series of colorful, decorative images of Wind and Thunder Gods that were first painted by Tawaraya Sotatsu and followed by later Rinpa artists, Soken’s painting is a mischievous and dynamic work. Soken is known to have influenced the famous Meiji period artist Kawanabe Kyosai, and several paintings of Wind and Thunder Gods by him survive, most with an underlying humor. Mano Gyotei was in turn influenced by Kawanabe Kyosai and the subject matter and its underlying humor and rich expression became a favored subject matter of his.

Yamaguchi Soken was known as one of the ten great disciples of Maruyama Okyo. He specialized in pictures of women and genre scenes, many of which represent the life and customs of Kyoto in a light and witty manner. He was also actively involved in publishing illustrated books, especially painting albums. His works are held in many Japanese and international museums.