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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
  • 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

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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
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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)

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