The Moon-Mad Monk, or Crazy Gazing at the Moon (Kyōgetsubō 狂月坊)

1789, eighth month
Not on view
This book compiles seventy-two kyōka poems on the theme of the moon, along with five illustrations. Shown here is the moon viewed from the shores of the bay at Akashi, a famous ancient place that evoked the god of waka poetry, Hitomaro, and such works of courtly literature as the Tales of Ise and the Tale of Genji. The handsome pine tree at the front reveals the hand of Utamaro, an artist well trained in the style of the Kano school.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 狂月坊
  • Title: The Moon-Mad Monk, or Crazy Gazing at the Moon (Kyōgetsubō 狂月坊)
  • Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro 喜多川歌麿 (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 1789, eighth month
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Polychrome woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Overall: 9 15/16 × 7 1/2 in. (25.2 × 19 cm)
  • Classification: Illustrated Books
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
  • Object Number: JIB46
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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