Ancient scrolls foreshadow modern manga
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During Japan’s late Heian to Kamakura periods, from the twelfth to thirteenth centuries, artists created the Chōjū giga scrolls, which many now see as an early form of manga.
The four scrolls, currently held by Kōsanji temple in Kyoto, depict animals acting like humans in comical scenes. One famous image shows a frog winning a sumō wrestling match against a rabbit. The artist who originally painted the monochrome ink drawings remains unknown.
Scholars also do not know if the creators intended the scrolls purely as entertainment or if they had a different, more complex goal in mind, as no text accompanies the artwork. Despite these unknowns, the animals, including frogs, rabbits, and monkeys, continue to be popular in Japan. Kōsanji temple and others reproduce images from the scrolls on everyday items like tote bags and teacups, sometimes adding color to the designs.
The full title of the artwork is Chōjū jinbutsu giga (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans).
