An ancient 17th century Japanese handscroll painting depicting figures in colourful kimonos gathered inside a traditional room with an open architectural view.

8 Oct

Spotlight On: Time-travel and Turtles

Uncover the fascinating story of an exquisitely decorated 17th century Japanese handscroll depicting a supernatural and time-bending folk tale in this special lunchtime program.

Join Dr Mark Erdmann, scholar of East Asian visual cultures, as he explores the significance and medium of the scroll and its place in Japanese storytelling traditions.

A new acquisition for the Rare East Asian Collection at the University of Melbourne, the scroll brings to life in illustrative detail The Tale of Urashima Taro, the story of a young fisherman who saves a turtle, leading him on a magical adventure in the Palace of the Dragon King lasting three years, but one thousand years in the human world. The scroll provides crucial insights into Japanese and East Asian artistic conventions as well as representing a moral tale for the ages teaching us that good deeds are often rewarded, but impatience, curiosity, and disobedience can lead to irreversible consequences.