Artwork

重陽後の月宴十二月ノ内|Banquet of the Next Full Moon at the Chrysanthemum Festival, from the series The Twelve Months (Chōyō nochi no tsuki no en, Jūni tsuki no uchi)

重陽後の月宴十二月ノ内|Banquet of the Next Full Moon at the Chrysanthemum Festival, from the series The Twelve Months (Chōyō nochi no tsuki no en, Jūni tsuki no uchi) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Kunisada. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1854 by the prolific ukiyo‑e artist Utagawa Kunisada, this work is a three‑panel woodblock print forming a triptych. Executed with ink and color on paper, it depicts a modest indoor gathering set against the backdrop of the Chrysanthemum Festival. The piece belongs to Kunisada’s series The Twelve Months and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition suggests a seasonal celebration and domestic harmony typical of genre scenes in mid‑nineteenth‑century Japan.

The three panels portray a quiet banquet held under the next full moon after the Chrysanthemum Festival. A mother and child sit amidst floral motifs in the first scene, two women converse while looking out at a garden in the second, and a man in formal attire leans on a table in the third. The composition suggests a seasonal celebration and domestic harmony typical of genre scenes in mid‑nineteenth‑century Japan.

Technique & Style

Kunisada employed the traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock process, carving separate blocks for each color and printing them in succession. Bright pigments and bold patterns dominate the surface, while fine line work defines the figures’ kimono folds and interior details. The use of a round red seal in the corner identifies the series, and the inclusion of autumnal maple leaves outside the window reinforces the seasonal context.

History & Provenance

The print was produced during the late Edo period, a time when commercial printmaking flourished. After its initial circulation, the triptych entered private collections before being acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Japanese prints holdings.

Context

The Twelve Months series illustrates scenes associated with each month of the Japanese calendar, linking everyday life to seasonal festivals. This particular work reflects the cultural importance of the Chrysanthemum Festival, celebrated in autumn, and demonstrates Kunisada’s skill in rendering contemporary urban interiors alongside subtle references to nature.