Chōjū-giga

Nihongo|Chōjū-giga|鳥獣戯画|lit. "Bird and Beast Caricature", also known as Nihongo|Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga|鳥獣人物戯画|lit. "Bird and Beast Human Caricature", is a famous set of four picture scrolls belonging to Kōzan-ji temple in Kyoto, Japan. The first two scrolls are thought to have been drawn in the mid-12th century, whereas the third and fourth scrolls date from the 13th century. Although Toba Sōjō is frequently credited as the artist, there is no evidence to support this claim.

The first scroll is the most famous, and depicts animals (frogs, rabbits and monkeys) frolicking as if they were human. There is no writing on any of the scrolls; they consist of pictures only.

Chōjū-giga is sometimes credited as being the oldest work of manga in Japan, and is a national treasure.

The first two scrolls are currently on display at the Tokyo National Museum, and the second two are on display at the Kyoto National Museum. The scrolls on display at Kōzan-ji today are reproductions.

External links

* [http://akituya.gooside.com/choujyu_allall.htm The complete first scroll]