The Call of the Cuckoo from above the Clouds - Suzuki Harunobu
Archival giclée
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Description
A refined ukiyo-e woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, reinterpreting a classical warrior legend through a contemporary domestic scene.
Suzuki Harunobu was a pioneer of the nishiki-e, or brocade print, which introduced full-colour printing to the ukiyo-e tradition. This work serves as a mitate-e, a parody or contemporary adaptation of a classical theme. The original legend concerns the warrior Minamoto no Yorimasa, who famously shot a cuckoo from the clouds during a storm. Harunobu replaces the warrior with a graceful woman in a domestic setting, shifting the focus from military prowess to the quiet observation of nature.
The composition employs a clever use of space, with the architectural elements of the staircase and the fenced tree framing the central figure. The woman looks upward, her posture echoing the legendary archer, yet her attire and surroundings remain firmly rooted in the Edo period. The inclusion of the crescent moon and the bird in the upper register provides a narrative link to the original tale, while the soft, muted colour palette is characteristic of Harunobu's refined aesthetic. His ability to blend classical literary references with the everyday lives of contemporary women made his work popular among the urban population of Edo.
Technically, the print demonstrates the precision of the woodblock medium. The lines are delicate, defining the folds of the kimono and the gentle expression of the subject. The use of colour is restrained, relying on subtle washes and carefully placed pigments to create a sense of atmosphere. This print is an example of how ukiyo-e artists engaged with historical narratives, reinterpreting them for a modern audience through the lens of fashion and social life. The work invites the viewer to appreciate the interplay between the past and the present, a common theme in the cultural life of eighteenth-century 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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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
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
The Call of the Cuckoo from above the Clouds - 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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