Gentleman Taking Leave of His Lady on a Veranda

Edo period (1615–1868)

Not on view

Although a seemingly incidental element of the scene, the cock and hen that recapitulate the affection expressed in the human sphere signal a number of poetic sources, including one of the most touching episodes in the tenth-century "Tales of Ise" (chapter 22). Knowing viewers of this couple on a veranda, who gaze wistfully at each other as the man prepares to take his leave, would recall the happy denouement of one of the main narratives of separated lovers in this classic cycle of poetic tales:

They talked of what had happened and of the future,
and he recited,

Would I be satisfied if I count
a thousand nights as one,
and sleep with you eight thousand nights?

She replied,

Were we to make a thousand autumn nights into one,
There would still be things to say
at cockcrow.

From then on he visited her more faithfully than ever.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Gentleman Taking Leave of His Lady on a Veranda
Artist: Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1725–1770)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: H. 11 in. (27.9 cm); W. 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Object Number: JP1629
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Suzuki Harunobu

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Night Rain at the Double-Shelf Stand, from the series Eight Parlor Views (Zashiki hakkei), Suzuki Harunobu Japanese, Woodblock print (first edition); ink and colors on paper, medium-sized print (chuban), Japan — Night Rain at the Double-Shelf Stand, from the series Eight Parlor Views (Zashiki hakkei)
Suzuki Harunobu
ca. 1766

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

The Courtesan Konosato Writing a Letter, from the Picture Book of Beauties of Yoshiwara (Ehon Seirō bijin awase), Suzuki Harunobu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — The Courtesan Konosato Writing a Letter, from the Picture Book of Beauties of Yoshiwara (Ehon Seirō bijin awase)
After Suzuki Harunobu
Probably early 20th century, after 1770 image

Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese — Helmet (*Zukinnari Kabuto*)
Japanese
16th century

Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
, Katsushika Hokusai Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), or The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei)
Katsushika Hokusai
ca. 1830–32

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