Minneapolis Institute of Art

Liu Bang Kills the White Serpent

Totoya Hokkei; Poet: Seiyôkan Umeyo

Date

1832

Medium

Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Liu Bang (256–195 BCE) was a Chinese general who eventually founded the Han dynasty. According to legend, he beheaded a white serpent (or dragon) which represented the previous dynasty. This print was commissioned for the year of the dragon, 1832. The poem by Seiyōkan Umeyo reads: Clouds surrounding a recumbent dragon are parted by spring breezes, as the skies are calm on New Year's day in the capital. (Translation by John Carpenter) Japan, Asia

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