Artwork
月に兎・牡丹・立葵図|Rabbits under the Moon, Peonies, and Hollyhocks
月に兎・牡丹・立葵図|Rabbits under the Moon, Peonies, and Hollyhocks is an ink painting by the Nihonga artist Ogata Kōrin. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting titled "Rabbits under the Moon, Peonies, and Hollyhocks" presents an allegorical scene that combines lunar rabbits with peonies and hollyhocks.
The painting titled "Rabbits under the Moon, Peonies, and Hollyhocks" presents an allegorical scene that combines lunar rabbits with peonies and hollyhocks. Created in 1849 and executed in ink and color on paper, the piece is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Its composition reflects traditional Japanese symbolic associations of the moon, seasonal blossoms, and courtly imagery, situating the work within the broader context of late Edo-period allegory and the decorative Rinpa tradition.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in ink and mineral colors on paper, arranged as a set of three matted hanging scrolls. The artist employed delicate, flat fields of color and sharply defined outlines characteristic of the Rinpa tradition, with peonies, hollyhocks, and crescent moon rendered in bold yet refined mineral pigments and carbon-based inks. Compositional balance is achieved through asymmetrical placement of the floral elements, while the moonlit setting is suggested by pale washes and reserved paper.
The technique emphasizes linearity and decorative pattern, with minimal modulation of tone and a restrained palette dominated by greens, reds, and whites. Handling is precise, favoring controlled brushwork and a smooth application of color typical of late Edo-period Rinpa practice.
History & Provenance
The set of three matted paintings known as Rabbits under the Moon, Peonies, and Hollyhocks was created in 1849 in Japan. Executed in ink and color on paper in the Rinpa tradition, the work depicts floral motifs within an allegorical framework and measures 100.2 cm in height by 36 cm in width. The pieces are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Specific details regarding the original commission, early ownership, or the chain of custody prior to the work's arrival at the museum are not provided in the available records, which also do not list a specific accession number or any past exhibitions for this set.
Overview
Created in 1849, this three‑panel work by Ogata Kōrin presents a moonlit scene in which two rabbits sit beneath a golden disc, while peonies and hollyhocks bloom in the foreground. Executed with ink and color on paper, the composition follows the decorative aesthetic of the Rinpa school and aligns with the broader nihonga tradition of Japanese painting.
Context
During the mid‑19th century, Japanese artists often revisited classical themes through the lens of contemporary aesthetics. Kōrin’s choice of moon‑rabbit imagery aligns with the era’s fascination with folklore, while the inclusion of peonies and hollyhocks reflects the seasonal symbolism prevalent in Rinpa compositions.
Legacy
The work exemplifies Kōrin’s ability to synthesize narrative content with decorative form, influencing later nihonga painters who sought to blend traditional motifs with modern compositional strategies. Its continued exhibition underscores the enduring relevance of Rinpa’s visual language in Japanese art history.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ogata Kōrin (Japanese: 尾形光琳; 1658 – June 2, 1716) was a Japanese landscape illustrator, lacquerer, painter, and textile designer of the Rinpa School.
