Xuyou and Chaofu
許由巣父図
Kano Eitoku · 16th century (Azuchi-Momoyama period) · Hanging scroll
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
Xuyou and Chaofu is an ink hanging scroll by Kano Eitoku (16th century, Azuchi-Momoyama period) on a Chinese tale of two high-minded men, Xuyou and Chaofu. It is an Important Cultural Property held by the Tokyo National Museum.
- Artist
- Kano Eitoku
- Date
- 16th century (Azuchi-Momoyama period)
- Medium / format
- Hanging scroll
About this work
The subject is a Chinese tale told as an example of the ideal high-minded man. When Xuyou heard that the sage emperor Yao had offered to hand over the realm, he washed his ears in water, saying they had been defiled. Chaofu would not let his ox drink the defiled water and led the ox home. It is a parable of a person who shuns high rank.
In the one scroll shown here, a waterfall pours down a rocky mountain and a figure stands at the water's edge, drawn in shades of ink. Branches of a tree stretch across the upper part. The waterfall uses the white of the paper, with pale ink layered around it.
Kano Eitoku, as head of the Kano school, served the rulers Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This work is ink on paper, designated an Important Cultural Property.
Where can I see it?
Exhibitions change over time. Check each museum's exhibition information before you visit.
Museums that hold this work
- Tokyo National MuseumMuseum's page for this work (opens in a new tab)
Taito City, Tokyo Accession no. A-10598
Plan your visit to Tokyo National Museum
Find places to stay, activities and rental cars for a visit to Tokyo National Museum, which holds "Xuyou and Chaofu".
Frequently asked questions
- Who painted Xuyou and Chaofu, and when?
- Xuyou and Chaofu is by Kano Eitoku, made in 16th century (Azuchi-Momoyama period). Medium: Hanging scroll.
- Where can I see Xuyou and Chaofu?
- It is held by Tokyo National Museum. Exhibitions change, so check each museum's information before you visit.
Sources and references
- ColBase (Tokyo National Museum) (in Japanese) (opens in a new tab) (checked 2026-11-05)
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