Lobed Bowl

The scene on the interior of this bowl portrays several artists painting a Nio, one of two guardians who stand at Buddhist temple gates to ward off evil spirits. In keeping with the tradition of humor typical of the Edo period (1600–1868), the scene facetiously presents an idealized version of the artistic process. In fact, the painters working on the scaffolding are dressed in garments that are considerably too elegant and luxurious for their status. More important, while Nio typically have fierce faces, this particular guardian has a playful look, as if he were amused to see the artists creating him.