Cao Guojiu (left) and Lan Caihe (right) left of the set Daoist Immortals, 1646, Kano Sansetsu, Japanese, 1589 - 1651, 65 1/2 x 45 1/2 in. (166.37 x 115.57 cm) (image)69 x 49 x 1 3/4 in. (175.26 x 124.46 x 4.45 cm) (outer frame), Ink, color, and gold leaf on paper, Japan, 17th century, These sliding door panels (fusuma) show a group of Chinese Daoist immortals. The Chinese believed the immortals were historical and legendary personages who, through moral virtue, faith, and discipline, managed to transcend the bounds of the natural world and live forever. They were worshiped as saints. Old Chinese themes like this were admired in Japan by military rulers and Zen priests, who exalted Chinese culture and its heroes.