Ukiyo-e illustration Inspired by the clean and timeless aesthetic of Japan - Moon Gazing by Hiroshige

"Contemplation of the Moon" (original title: 月の岬) is a woodblock print by the Japanese painter and illustrator Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) produced in August 1857.

This new print is bathed in the soft night light of the moon, which appears cut through by the balcony and crossed by a flock of birds. It depicts the Shinagawa district, also visible in the following plate. Through the sliding fusuma doors, we discover a room offering a magnificent view of Edo Bay, where many sailing ships are anchored. The fortifications usually present in the bay have been omitted here so as not to break the harmony of the scene. On the green tatami mat, we find the remains of a dinner: wasabi and sashimi on a red lacquer tray, a cup of sake, a napkin, a lamp, and a fan. On either side, we can make out two silhouettes: on the right, a geisha has just dropped her shamisen to the floor; on the left, a courtesan is undressing to go to sleep. This print presents a chronological sequence, from right to left, consistent with Japanese reading: dinner is over, the moon appears, and the figure prepares for sleep. A lyrical and serene atmosphere emerges, evoking the calm and happiness that transcend the mundanity of this scene of everyday life. By abstracting all concrete details, Hiroshige creates a "generalized image" of Shinagawa's teahouses.