Ainu Banquet, Folding Screen

On a two-panel folding screen sprinkled with gold dust, one vertical painting is mounted on each panel. In the left painting, many men gather around a figure in a red robe, and in front of them lacquered vessels and several tubs of sake are lined up. In the back stands what looks like a fence made of thin poles. In the right painting, people seated on mats raise cups and drink together, with a horizon and building-like shapes faintly painted in the distance.

Ainu banquets were deeply tied to rituals in which sake was offered to the gods in prayer. Byozan's paintings often depict the lacquerware used on such occasions and goods obtained through trade with the Japanese. How far the ritual details in this work are based on actual observation has not been confirmed.

Byozan is said to have painted while living with the Ainu at fishing grounds in Hidaka and Tokachi, and he left many pictures of bear-sending ceremonies and banquets. Many of his works repeat the same compositions, and this one is thought to be among those made to meet such commissions.

The work is owned by the Tokyo National Museum. It is not on permanent display, so exhibition schedules can be checked on the museum's website.