狂月坊|The Moon-Mad Monk, or Crazy Gazing at the Moon (Kyōgetsubō)

Kitagawa Utamaro

1789, eighth month · Polychrome woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

This book compiles seventy-two kyōka poems on the theme of the moon, along with five illustrations. Shown here is the moon viewed from the shores of the bay at Akashi, a famous ancient place that evoked the god of waka poetry, Hitomaro, and such works of courtly literature as the Tales of Ise and the Tale of Genji. The handsome pine tree at the front reveals the hand of Utamaro, an artist well trained in the style of the Kano school.

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Date

1789, eighth month

Medium

Polychrome woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1918