Edo Hakkei Shirofusa (The Famous Moon of Shirofusa)

Artist Torii Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752–1815)

Date1781

MediumColor woodblock print

Dimensions11 x 8 inches (27.9 x 20.3 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineBequest of William P. Chapman, Jr., Class of 1895

Terms

Prints
Color woodblock print
Japanese

Object number56.022

Label CopyThe poem at the top of the print speaks of the moonlit view reflecting the sadness and loneliness of the woman gazing at it. This text implies that the woman looking out at the moon is aware of the flirtation going on behind her. The informal kimono which the man is wearing and the simple one of the girl would seem to indicate that they are the husband and maid of the lady.

(“Moon," curated by Ellen Avril and presented at the Johnson Museum August 25, 2018-January 13, 2019)

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