In Japan, interest in the world of immortals or immortal sages grew in Zen Buddhist society and spread to samurai society as well. These triptych hanging scrolls depict three of the Eight Immortals, Taoist immortals with superhuman powers: Zhang Guolao, Lü Dongbin, and Tieguai. Zhang Guolao is depicted from behind holding a gourd containing a donkey folded like paper; Tieguai is depicted sitting on a cliff, liberating his soul; and Lü Dongbin is depicted unfolding a scroll after receiving a treasure from his maser, Zhongli Quan.

The white square seal “Keison” at the bottom of each scroll identifies them as works by Keison, a leading figure in the Kanto ink painting. Keison is believed to have been active around the first half of the 16th century, and while he imitates the style of Shokei who introduced the central style from Kyoto to Kanto region, many of his works display his meticulous, meticulous brushwork. Among Kanto painters, a relatively large number of his works remain, and the subjects are diverse, including people, landscapes, and flowers and birds.

Provenance
Maeda family – Asano family – Sugahara Michinari – Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation