Shinnou　神農

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Ch: Shennong. The second of the legendary Three Emperors (Ch: sanhuang, Jp :sankou 三皇) credited with founding Chinese civilization, and called the Divine Husbandman. A follower of Fuxi (Jp: *Fukugi 伏羲), Shinnou is said to have taught the people agriculture as well as medicine, music, and the use of fire. Supposedly raised by animals, he is depicted with a large head, protruding cranial "horn," long hair and beard, dressed in leaves, and eating blades of grass, a reference to his discovery of medicinal plants. Shinnou was painted by Edo period *Kanouha 狩野派 painters, with notable examples by Kanou Tan'yuu 狩野探幽 (1607-74; Private Collection) and Einou 永納 (1631-97; Tokyo Natinal Museum).

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