Beauty Receiving a Visitor

美人接訪客図

late 1600s–early 1700s

Tamura Suio 田村水鷗

(Japanese, active late 1600s–early 1700s)

Culture

Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk

Measurements

Painting: 50.4 x 82.2 cm (19 13/16 x 32 3/8 in.); Mounted: 155.2 x 97.7 cm (61 1/8 x 38 7/16 in.)

Credit Line

The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith 1985.275

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Location

Not on view

Description

Here, a person steps out to the engawa, a wood-floored corridor that runs along the outer edge of a house, to greet a visitor as the individual’s companions look on. A strong breeze blows the sleeves of their robes and the translucent blinds enclosing their sitting room. The group’s wealth and high status is signified by the two swords the visitor carries and everyone’s intricately patterned garments. A raised blind lets the viewer peek in to see a black lacquer box decorated with designs in gold powder and a ceramic incense burner on a hexagonal lacquer tray positioned carefully in the room’s display alcove, or toko.