Artwork
Group Pilgrimage to the Jizo Nun

Group Pilgrimage to the Jizo Nun is an ink painting by the Nihonga artist Ike no Taiga. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Group Pilgrimage to the Jizo Nun is a hanging scroll ink painting on paper created by Ike Taiga, a pivotal figure in 18th-century Japanese art. The work captures a scene of everyday life, depicting pilgrims visiting a revered Jizo nun in a humble setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a real pilgrimage observed by Taiga in Kyoto, focusing on ordinary people rather than the typical depictions of gods or nobles. The Jizo nun, believed to communicate with the bodhisattva Jizo (who could aid souls in the afterlife), receives offerings from the pilgrims. An inscription by the artist relates the story of the scene.
Technique & Style
Taiga blended Chinese-inspired nanga techniques with a distinct Japanese aesthetic and humor. Notably, the work likely employs an unconventional method, possibly 'paper twist painting' with twisted, ink-charged paper scraps, given the absence of traditional brushwork. The inscription is rendered in an informal, cursive style, mirroring the painting's spontaneity.
History & Provenance
The scroll features Taiga's signature 'mumei' (無名) alongside an 18-line prose inscription on its right side. While specific provenance details are not provided, the work reflects Taiga's innovative approach to traditional Japanese painting.
Context
Created in 18th-century Kyoto, this piece stands out for its depiction of common people in a period where artistic focus often lay with the elite or divine. It showcases Taiga's role in revitalizing Japanese painting by infusing nanga with local flair.
Legacy
Group Pilgrimage to the Jizo Nun exemplifies Taiga's influence on Japanese art, highlighting his innovative techniques and emphasis on everyday life. His blend of Chinese techniques with Japanese humor and subjects contributed significantly to the evolution of nanga.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ike no Taiga (池大雅; June 6, 1723, in Kyōto, Japan — May 30, 1776, in Kyōto) was a Japanese painter and calligrapher born in Kyoto during the Edo period.



















