Who painted Festival of Insects?

Festival of Insects was painted by Motsurin Jōtō in 1742.

Where can I see Festival of Insects?

Festival of Insects is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Festival of Insects?

Festival of Insects is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Festival of Insects

Motsurin Jōtō , 1742

Festival of Insects is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Motsurin Jōtō. It dates from 1742 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1988.16
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund

About this work

Overview

Musicians on drums and flutes accompany the march, and a dancer brandishes a fan and a branch to encourage the crowd.

Festival of Insects is a Japanese painting that portrays a lively procession in which anthropomorphic figures bearing antennae carry a large gourd as if it were a ceremonial float. Two groups pull the gourd forward with ropes, while additional participants guide it from behind using poles. Musicians on drums and flutes accompany the march, and a dancer brandishes a fan and a branch to encourage the crowd.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents a whimsical tableau of insect‑like humans celebrating a communal rite, suggesting themes of fertility, abundance, or seasonal festivity. The exaggerated antennae and antler‑like adornments emphasize the hybrid nature of the participants, blurring the line between human and creature in a playful allegory.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the composition balances detailed line work with broad washes that convey movement. The artist employs a rhythmic arrangement of figures and musical instruments, creating a sense of forward thrust that mirrors the physical pulling of the gourd.

History & Provenance

The inscription on the painting attributes it to the monk‑painter Motsurin Jōtō, also known as Bokusai, a noted disciple of the Zen master Ikkyū Sōjun and a respected portraitist of his era. The piece is presently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

Created during a period when Japanese monastic artists often blended religious practice with secular subjects, the painting reflects a broader tradition of genre scenes that capture everyday celebrations and folk customs, while also allowing the artist to explore imaginative, non‑literal forms.