Who painted 回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo?

回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo was painted by Suzuki Harunobu in 1768.

Where can I see 回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo?

回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo?

回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo

Suzuki Harunobu , 1768

回文歌京大阪江戸|Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Suzuki Harunobu's 'Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo' is a woodblock print from circa 1768, now in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Part of a triptych, this right-hand sheet combines ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts three serene women in traditional long robes and elaborate hairstyles, each holding a fan or small item, suggesting a formal or celebratory context. Accompanying Japanese poetry at the top adds a layer of literary depth.

Technique & Style

Characterized by soft, muted colors (pinks, greens, browns), the composition features simple, stylized trees and a wave-patterned border. Harunobu's signature appears in the corner, marking his authorship.

History & Provenance

Created around 1768, the work is attributed to Suzuki Harunobu. Its current location is The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though earlier ownership history is not specified here.

Context

As a ukiyo-e woodblock print, 'Kyo' reflects 18th-century Japanese popular culture, blending visual art with literature through the inclusion of palindromic poems.