Playing the "Hand Game"
1760
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1760
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Playing the "Hand Game" is a 1760 unspecified by Hasegawa Yasumasa, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This painting shows three people playing a game with hand gestures. They are having fun together. The game is a special variation, with gestures for different characters. This game was popular in Japan among courtesans in the 18th century. It's an interesting glimpse into their daily life. You can learn more about similar artwork at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
This scene depicts three people playing a game in which three players make hand gestures simultaneously. The relationship among the gestures determines the winner. Known as hand games, during the eighteenth century they were popular in Japan among courtesans. In this version, the contestants use both hands, indicating a special variation such as the fox hand game, which features gestures for a fox, a village leader, and a hunter.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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