The Moon-Viewing Promontory, from One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo

Series Title: 名所江戸百景　月の岬

The Moon-Viewing Promontory, from One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo

1857

Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重

(Japanese, 1797–1858)

Culture

Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

Medium

color woodblock print

Measurements

33.9 x 22.8 cm (13 3/8 x 9 in.)

Credit Line

The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith 1985.320

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Beginning in the 700s, the Japanese held moon-viewing parties in celebration of the full moon during the late summer and autumn months. A full moon is visible in this print.

Description

Here, Utagawa Hiroshige’s design places the viewer by pine trees, peering beyond a doorway at the end of a moon-viewing party. The silhouette of a figure with an elaborate hairstyle is visible through a translucent paper door; only the person’s hem trails into view. Another individual remains seated on the floor in the upper right, near a musical instrument and a tray with blue-and-white ceramics, possibly still admiring the autumn moon over ships in Edo (now Tokyo) Bay.