Who painted 舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance?

舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance was painted by Kubo Shunman in 1810.

Where can I see 舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance?

舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance?

舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance

Kubo Shunman , 1810

舞楽|Courtier Playing a Flute to Accompany a Bugaku Dance is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kubo Shunman. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1810 by the Edo‑period artist Kubo Shunman, this woodblock print belongs to a surimono album—privately commissioned prints distinguished by their refined execution. Executed in ink and color on paper, the image is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts two courtly figures on a tiled veranda beneath a cloudy sky. A seated musician in a brown robe with checkered sleeves plays a long transverse flute, while a kneeling attendant in a vivid red and gold costume, whose garment trails like a dragon’s tail, holds a fan. Japanese poetry inscribed around the figures adds a lyrical, contemplative dimension to the performance.

Technique & Style

Shunman employs precise line work to delineate the intricate patterns of the costumes and the architectural details of the porch. Subtle washes of color define the cloudy atmosphere and the moonlit background, while the use of contrasting reds and golds highlights the attendant’s attire. The careful balance of line and pigment typifies the delicate aesthetic of surimono prints.

History & Provenance

The print was produced as part of a limited‑edition album intended for a select audience of literati and patrons. After circulating in private collections during the Edo period, it entered the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of early nineteenth‑century Japanese printmaking.