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Yoshitoshi

One hundred aspects of the moon 20 Aug – 20 Nov 2016

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Commoners and the floating world

Commoners and the floating world

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Yasuko Myer Bequest Fund 2012
The bottom of the bucket/which Lady Chiyo filled has fallen out/the moon has no home in the water, November 1889

There has been much confusion about this work, which has been mistakenly said to depict Kaga no Chiyo (1703–75), a famous haiku poetess who lived in the Edo period. It is most likely the poetess Adachi Chiyono, a daughter of a Kamakura period warrior Adachi Yasumori (1231–85). After the fall of her husband’s political position, she decided to become a Buddhist nun, under Mugaku Sōgen (1226–86), a Chinese Zen Rinzai master. She was given the Buddhist name Muchaku. She is sometimes also confused with another female Zen master, Mugai Nyodai. Her poem refers to her laboured efforts to attain enlightenment.

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Commoners and the floating world

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Yasuko Myer Bequest Fund 2012
Shinobugaoka moon - Gyokuensai, 1889

A young man dressed in an elegant black robe raises his sleeves as if to shield himself from the fallen cherry-blossom petals. The top-knot of his hair and the two swords at his side indicate his samurai status. The title cartouche identifies his name as Gyokuensai and the location for the scene as Shinobugaoka, a popular place for cherry-blossom-viewing parties in Edo. Behind Gyokuensai, a gorgeously decorated kimono is seen attached to a branch. In pre-modern times, clothing was used as a curtain or backdrop for picnics.

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