Eight Drunken Hermits (Screen)
飲中八仙図屏風
Kaiho Yusho · 1602 (Keicho 7) · Folding screen
Detail of the work. Image: Source: ColBase (Work page (opens in a new tab)) (reduced in size on this site) Public Data License 2.0 of the Government of Japan (compatible with CC BY 4.0) (opens in a new tab) View larger
"Eight Drunken Hermits" by Kaiho Yusho is an Important Cultural Property: a Momoyama-period screen of wine-loving immortals drawn from a poem by the Tang poet Du Fu, made in 1602 and held by the Kyoto National Museum.
- Artist
- Kaiho Yusho
- Date
- 1602 (Keicho 7)
- Medium / format
- Folding screen
About this work
The title comes from "Song of the Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup" by the Tang poet Du Fu. This subject has long been popular with Japanese painters, and the work is designated an Important Cultural Property. Only one screen survives today, 148 cm high and 358 cm wide, showing four of the immortals.
It was originally one of a pair, with the other screen joining on the right and also showing four figures. An inscription on the painting shows that it was made on the 3rd day of the 10th month of Keicho 7 (1602) at the request of Kamei Korenori, lord of Shikano in Inaba Province (present-day Tottori Prefecture).
Among the works of Kaiho Yusho (1533-1615), few can serve as dated reference examples, and this is one of them, which makes it valuable. The image shows part of the work, with figures seated beside a large jar.
Where can I see it?
Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.
Museums that hold this work
- Kyoto National MuseumMuseum's page for this work (opens in a new tab)
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Accession no. A甲263
Plan your visit to Kyoto National Museum
Find places to stay, activities and rental cars for a visit to Kyoto National Museum, which holds "Eight Drunken Hermits (Screen)".
Frequently asked questions
- Who painted Eight Drunken Hermits (Screen), and when?
- Eight Drunken Hermits (Screen) is by Kaiho Yusho, made in 1602 (Keicho 7). Medium: Folding screen.
- Where can I see Eight Drunken Hermits (Screen)?
- It is held by Kyoto National Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.
Sources and references
- ColBase (Kyoto National Museum) (in Japanese) (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-11-05)
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