Suzaku Gate moon - Hakuga Sammi, from the series One hundred aspects of the moon

The 10th-century courtier Minamoto no Hiromasa (also known as Hakuga Sanmi) was a famous musician who excelled in the 'biwa' (short-necked lute), 'yokobue' (horizontal flute) and 'hichiriki' (flute played to the front). In this print he is playing the 'yokobue' in a duet with an unidentified man whose heavy beard and unusual hat indicate that he is a foreigner, perhaps from central Asia. They are playing beneath the Suzaku Gate, the main gate to the area containing the imperial palace and government offices in Kyoto.