Evening Moon

Artist Otagaki Rengetsu (Japanese, 1791-1875)

Place of OriginJapan

Date19th century

DimensionsH: 58 1/2 in. (148.5 cm); W: 9 3/4 in. (25.5 cm)

MediumPoem sheet (tanzaku) mounted on a hanging scroll, ink on paper

ClassificationPaintings

Credit LinePurchased with funds given by Marjorie Z. Kaplin

Object number

2011.15

Not on View

Label TextOtagaki Rengetsu was a Japanese woman poet, painter, skilled potter, and expert calligrapher. She became quite famous in Japan in the 19th century. Though best known as a classical, or waka, poet, she was accomplished in many arts, including martial arts and the tea ceremony. Although Rengetsu’s artistic efforts were mostly forgotten after her death in 1875, her work has now been rediscovered by collectors and museums alike. This poem sheet, or tanzaku, can be translated as: Evening Moon Yuzuki In a mountain village Yama no sato a sickle sharpened asu no isogi ni for next day’s work togu kama no moonlight glows hikari ni nit a ru in the blade. yuzuki no kanaPublished ReferencesEastburn, Melanie, Lucie, Folan, and Robyn Maxwell (ed.),”Black Robe White Mist: Art of the Japanese Buddhist Nun Rengetsu”, National Gallery of Australia, 2007 (ex. cat.).Exhibition HistoryNational Gallery of Australia, “Black Robe White Mist: Art of the Japanese Buddhist Nun Rengetsu”, 2007.