Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo
Original title: Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Kyo
kurzbeschreibung
A woman in traditional Japanese dress appears in a calm, thoughtful pose among flowers and trees. This sheet from around 1768 is the right-hand panel of a triptych of color woodblock prints by Suzuki Harunobu.
Description
A woman in a kimono occupies the center of the print. Her hair is elaborately styled and adorned with accessories; she sits or stands in a pensive attitude. Flowers and trees fill the background, hinting at the season. At the top of the sheet are lines of Japanese text presenting poems. Earthy tones dominate the palette, with red and blue accents set against them.
Context
Suzuki Harunobu ranks among the important Japanese woodblock artists of the eighteenth century and became known for his innovations in color printing (nishiki-e). The kaibunka, a palindrome poem, can be read both forward and backward and was a popular intellectual game in the Edo period. The triptych shows three women, each assigned such a poem; the work was aimed at an educated urban audience.
Impact
The woman's quiet, reflective posture and the natural setting evoke a contemplative mood. Clear lines and harmonious color give the sheet an elegant, still aesthetic characteristic of Harunobu.
Technique
The color woodblock print depends on clear lines and flat areas of color. Multicolor printing (nishiki-e) allowed fine gradations and details, visible for instance in the kimono patterns and the hairstyles.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)