Untitled

Kitagawa Utamaro

1789 · Woodblock print; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Like his younger brother, Narihira, Yukihira came to be the hero of a romantic legend. By imperial edict, Yukihira was exiled from the capital to the lonely beach at Suma, which was famous as a beautiful spot for viewing the moon. There, the exiled courtier fell in love with Matsukaze and Murasame, two sisters who had fallen from their privileged position as daughters of the provincial governor because of the treachery of their cruel stepmother. On the beach at Suma, they were forced to live like peasants, carting and drying seawater to make salt. The depicts Yukihira's arrival with two attendants at the place of his exile. Still dressed in his court finery, he stands on the beach, gazing across the inlet at the thatched huts of the salt workers.

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Date

1789

Medium

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914