Maneemon

Object Details

• Artist

  Suzuki Harunobu 鈴木春信 (1724-1770)

• Label

  Erotic prints, known as pillow pictures (makura-e) or spring pictures (shunga), were usually published in sets of twelve designs and sold as an album. This print comes from a narrative illustrating the adventures of Ukiyonosuke, who received a special dumpling that transformed him into the miniature Maneemon, who embarked on a quest to learn about love. Here, the text is written in the cloudlike space above the picture. A visitor to a brothel in the Yoshiwara pleasure district is attempting to seduce a high-ranking courtesan's young attendant. The couple looks back at the courtesan when they are interrupted by Maneemon, who passes wind while hiding in the blossoming cherry tree to the left.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Masterful Illusions: Japanese Prints from the Anne van Biema Collection (September 15, 2002 to January 9, 2003)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  The Anne van Biema Collection

• Type

  Print

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Suzuki, Harunobu

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Art, Cherry tree, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Anne van Biema collection, Courtesan, Ukiyo-e, Cherry blossom, Chuban

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints