Woman Reading under a Mosquito Net

Fuhiken Tokikaze Japanese

Not on view

A courtesan bedecked in gorgeous robes, decorated with waves, bamboo grass, gentian flowers (sasarindō), and other floral motifs, is seated just outside the mosquito net covering her sleeping area. With the net draped over her uncoiffed hair, she reads a long letter, no doubt from a wealthy patron, and the viewer is left to imagine what kind of news the message contains.

Only a few other paintings by Fuhiken Tokikaze are known, but the gentle, corpulent facial features suggest an artist in the circle of Miyagawa Chōshun.

Woman Reading under a Mosquito Net, Fuhiken Tokikaze (active first half of the 18th century), Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan

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painting

Woman Reading under a Mosquito Net, Fuhiken Tokikaze (active first half of the 18th century), Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan
Woman Reading under a Mosquito Net, Fuhiken Tokikaze (active first half of the 18th century), Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan
Woman Reading under a Mosquito Net, Fuhiken Tokikaze (active first half of the 18th century), Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan

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