No. 8, Laolai: Amusing His Parents

by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Current Status

No. 8, Laolai: Amusing His Parents by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Original Chikanobu (1838 - 1912) Japanese Woodblock Print
No. 8, Laolai: Amusing His Parents

Series; Juxtaposed Pictures of Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety

Chikanobu's Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety - The Chinese scholar Guo Jujing wrote the book "The Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Devotion" during the Yuan Dynasty. Inspired by the loss of his own parents, he scoured history for examples of the most respectful and devoted children. Alluding to the famous stories of the twenty-four children and their extraordinary devotion to their parents and relatives, Chikanobu's series juxtaposes the paragon in the upper panel with a more modern equivalent below. The artist plays off the old stories, offering serious parallels as well as lighthearted and humorous contrasts in the modern versions.

No. 8, Laolai: Amusing His Parents - Attractive image of a beauty dancing in a teahouse, accompanied by a woman playing the shamisen. She moves gracefully, waving a fan in the flickering candlelight, dressed in a pink kimono patterned with bamboo. The paragon shows Laolai (Rorai in Japanese) amusing his elderly parents by acting like a baby. He sprawls on the floor, waving a rattle and kicking his feet as his mother grins with delight. Throughout his life, he was devoted to caring for his parents, and as they grew older, he would trip on purpose, sing silly songs, and act like a child to cheer them up and keep them happy. An interesting subject.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 13 1/4" x 8 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Horizontal centerfold. Small thinning spot, repaired. Slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

No. 8, Laolai: Amusing His Parents by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)
No. 8, Laolai: Amusing His Parents by Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

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