SENREI HATA

Senrei Hata studied with Suzuki Hyakunen, whose Gathering at the Orchid Pavilion is also in the Museum's collection. Hata was known for his use of Chinese themes, such as the eight Daoist immortals he depicted in a pair of screens, of which this is one. In this popular tale, each of the eight immortals eagerly shows his magic power by using different means to cross the sea. A pine tree, a tortoise, and a crane--traditional Chinese symbols of long life--are depicted with the immortals.