The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 8, 2026

A vertically oriented ink and color hanging scroll depicts a woman sitting on a wooden floor, centered in a dark blue kimono with yellow blossoms. Reading a long paper scroll, she rests before a grid-patterned screen displaying a dark silhouette. To the right, a doorway reveals blue water. In the lower foreground, two textured stones rest on the ground, set against the muted brown tones of the interior.

Beauty Reading a Letter

c. 1751–72

Tōensai Kanshi

(Japanese, active c. 1751–72)
Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Painting: 86 x 16.4 cm (33 7/8 x 6 7/16 in.); Mounted: 159.4 x 20.3 cm (62 3/4 x 8 in.)
The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Ellen and Bruce Mavec 2026.45
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Kaimami is the Japanese term for viewing someone covertly, often with romantic intent.

Description

A woman sits reading a letter. She has taken her right arm out of her sleeve and presses her hand against her pulse as if to still her excitement at the contents of the missive. Another woman’s silhouette is visible behind her through sliding paper doors. She spies on the first woman by peering through a tear in the paper.
  • A. Kelvin Smith [1899–1984] and Eleanor [Armstrong] Smith [1899–1998], Cleveland, OH, by descent to their daughter Cara Smith Stirn
    Cara Smith Stirn [1927–2017], Cleveland, OH, by descent to her daughter Ellen Stirn Mavec
    Ellen Stirn Mavec [b. 1959]
  • {{cite web|title=Beauty Reading a Letter|url=false|author=Tōensai Kanshi|year=c. 1751–72|access-date=08 October 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2026.45