Three Heroes of Three Kingdoms
By Sekkan Sakurai (1715-1790)
Edo Period, 18th century
Ink and color on silk
59 x 108 cm
Cat. 266081
© The Field Museum
The three brothers -- Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei -- lived in the late phase of Eastern Han Dynasty (A.D. 25 – 220) in China when the imperial power was declining, and unsatisfied peasants and army forces rebelled all over the country. They met on the street and appreciated each other's talents and ambitions. In Zhang Fei's peach orchard, they vowed brotherhood, swearing that they would protect and help each other to death. After years of strenuous fighting, they finally eliminated their enemies in southern China and established a powerful army. In A.D. 221, they founded the Kingdom of Shu in southern China and chose Liu as their King. At this point, two other military forces also established kingdoms in the north and east of China. This was the onset of what is called "Three Kingdoms Period" (A.D. 220-265) in Chinese history.
Liu Bei, the eldest brother, is on the left of the painting. He can be recognized by his long ears that reach his shoulders, and long arms that reach his knees. The youngest, Zhang Fei, is identifiable for his charcoal-like face and big round eyes. The man standing between them is Guan Yu, the middle brother, whose characteristic is his red face, long beard, and curve-bladed Green Dragon Sable.
Sekkan Sakurai was a capable portrait painter. He studied and followed the style of Toyo Sesshu (A.D. 1420-1506), a Japanese master of ink painting who went to study painting in China and established a standard for ink paintings among later artists in Japan.
(Commentary by Juan Peng)