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Nobleman Watching Servant Throw Bundles of Brush into a Waterfall


滝に薪を投げる (七滝の伝説ヵ)
Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849)
Japanese
Edo period

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Ebangire; 20 x 54.1 cm (7 7/8 x 21 5/16 in.)
Credit Line William S. and John T. Spaulding Collection
Accession Number21.7883
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.17507 (ôban), 21.7883 (ebangire), 21.10266 (ôban)

Possibly related to the legend of the Nanataki falls in present-day Akita prefecture. A powerful landowner named Magozaemon had brushwood thrown into the falls precisely because it was forbidden (in order to show off his power) and was struck down with illness by the angry dragon in the waterfall. He repented and founded a shrine there.
Signed Katsushika Hokusai ga
かつしか北斎画
ProvenanceMarch 1918, purchased by William S. and John T. Spaulding from Frank Lloyd Wright; December 1, 1921, given by William S. and John T. Spaulding to the Museum.