Autumn Moon

Rengetsu employed ink on paper, layering numerous delicate, curved strokes to build the mass of the central form. The brushwork is fluid yet controlled, allowing each line to contribute to a sense of depth while maintaining the overall simplicity of the image.

After its creation in the late Edo period, the work eventually entered the holdings of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Documentation of its early ownership is limited, reflecting the modest circulation typical of many 19th‑century Japanese ink paintings.

Rengetsu, known primarily as a poet and calligrapher, often blended literary and visual elements in her art. The inscription in the lower‑right corner, composed of flowing black characters, exemplifies her practice of integrating text and image, a hallmark of Japanese literati traditions.