Artwork

忠臣蔵四段目|A Woman and a Man Arranging Flowers for the Tsukimi (Moon Festival)

忠臣蔵四段目|A Woman and a Man Arranging Flowers for the Tsukimi (Moon Festival) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1802, this woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicts a domestic scene associated with the Tsukimi, or moon‑watching festival. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies Utamaro’s focus on everyday moments.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures are a woman in a black kimono patterned with white blossoms and a man in a red kimono, both engaged in arranging flowers for the festival. Their quiet collaboration conveys a sense of shared ritual and the understated elegance of seasonal observances in Edo‑period households.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs the ukiyo‑e woodblock method, using muted pigments of red, black, and beige to render the figures and background. Fine line work defines the garments, while subtle shading creates depth, characteristic of the artist’s refined approach to genre subjects.

History & Provenance

The print was produced during the peak of Utamaro’s career and later entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display as an example of early nineteenth‑century Japanese printmaking.

Context

Tsukimi, a traditional moon‑viewing celebration, was a popular motif in Edo‑period visual culture. Utamaro’s choice to portray a modest, interior preparation scene reflects the broader trend of depicting intimate, everyday activities rather than grand historical narratives.