Poem with Woman Looking at Moon (Gotokudai-ji no Sadaijin) - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A classic nishiki-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, depicting a woman observing the moon, featuring delicate colours and integrated poetry.
This woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu belongs to the nishiki-e, or brocade print, tradition. Harunobu is credited with popularising these multi-coloured prints in the mid-eighteenth century. The composition depicts a woman standing within a domestic interior, her gaze directed towards the moon visible through an open window. The scene incorporates a poem, a common feature in prints that draw upon classical Japanese literature and the Hyakunin Isshu, or One Hundred Poets, One Hundred Poems.
The figure is rendered with the slender, doll-like proportions characteristic of Harunobu's work. She wears a kimono decorated with maple leaf motifs, suggesting an autumnal setting. The architectural elements, such as the wooden frame of the house and the veranda, provide a structured space that contrasts with the soft, atmospheric rendering of the moon and the clouds. The colour palette is restrained, relying on muted tones of green, orange, and soft grey to create a sense of quiet contemplation.
Harunobu's approach to space is flattened, prioritising decorative harmony over realistic perspective. The inclusion of the poem within the upper section of the print integrates text and image, a hallmark of the sophisticated aesthetic prevalent in Edo-period print culture. The print captures a moment of stillness, inviting the viewer to share in the subject's observation of the natural world. By combining literary references with elegant figure studies, Harunobu created works that appealed to the refined tastes of his contemporaries. This print remains a clear example of the technical precision and stylistic innovation that defined the development of full-colour woodblock printing in Japan.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Poem with Woman Looking at Moon (Gotokudai-ji no Sadaijin) - Suzuki Harunobu
Artist Biography
Suzuki Harunobu
Harunobu moved away from the stiff portraits of kabuki actors common in his era. He preferred to depict young women in their daily lives, often using an elevated viewpoint to look into private spaces. His series Zashiki hakkei, or Eight Parlour Views, provides a clear example of his method. He took classical Chinese themes and reimagined them as domestic scenes. A temple bell might become a chiming clock. A distant storm is represented by a woman drying herself after a bath.
Modern collectors value these prints for their quiet atmosphere and precise compositions. Harunobu avoided the aggressive energy of later ukiyo-e artists. He chose instead to focus on slender figures and soft colour harmonies. His work captures specific moments of leisure, such as playing cat's cradle or walking by the shore. These scenes offer a calm window into eighteenth-century Japan. They remain popular because they balance historical detail with a clean, graphic sensibility that suits contemporary interiors.
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