Utagawa Hiroshige
(Japanese, 1797–1858)
Moon-Viewing Point, from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Object Details
Artist
Utagawa Hiroshige
Date
1856–1858
Medium
Color woodblock print; oban size
Dimensions
14 x 9 1/2 inches (35.6 x 24.1 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of William P. Chapman, Jr., Class of 1895
Object
Number
56.073
From the veranda of one of the brothels or inns of the Shinagawa pleasure district is the perfect vi(…)
From the veranda of one of the brothels or inns of the Shinagawa pleasure district is the perfect view of the autumn moon and flying geese. Scattered about in the empty space are dishes, a tray, and utensils indicating that a meal has been eaten, and two large bottles in the foreground suggest that sake has been consumed. A partial glimpse of a shamisen behind the paper screen to the right hints at a concert given by a geisha which has now come to an end. The shadow of the courtesan appears behind the screen at left, subtly alluding to the tryst with her customer.
(“Moon,” curated by Ellen Avril and presented at the Johnson Museum August 25, 2018-January 13, 2019)
