Artwork
Setsubun Festival at Sensōji
Setsubun Festival at Sensōji is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Suzuki Kiitsu. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which holds it in its collection, grounding the scene in a specific institutional context.
Setsubun Festival at Sensōji portrays a moment of the traditional spring rite performed at Sensō-ji temple, featuring a man clutching a hand fan within the celebratory setting. Created by Suzuki Kiitsu in 1857, the painting illustrates the festival’s purpose of driving away evil spirits and inviting the new season, central themes of the Setsubun observance. The work belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which holds it in its collection, grounding the scene in a specific institutional context.
Through the hand fan and the figure’s posture, the composition conveys communal participation and the ritual’s symbolic cleansing, linking everyday objects to broader spiritual intentions in Edo‑period Japan.
History & Provenance
Setsubun Festival at Sensōji was created by the Japanese artist Suzuki Kiitsu in 1857. The work is a painting that depicts scenes from the Setsubun festival held at Sensōji, including figures such as a man and a hand fan. It was made in Japan during the mid-19th century. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The painting Setsubun Festival at Sensōji, created by Suzuki Kiitsu in 1857, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is located at the museum in New York. While the piece is documented as part of the institution's holdings, specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available records. Furthermore, there is no information currently sourced regarding the exhibition history of this specific artwork.
Legacy
Setsubun Festival at Sensōji is a 1857 painting by Suzuki Kiitsu, listed simply as a painting. The work portrays a hand fan and a man associated with the Setsubun festival. It was created in Japan and entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Its presence in a major international museum has contributed to the painting’s reputation as a representative example of Edo‑period genre scenes. The collection’s stewardship ensures continued scholarly examination of Kiitsu’s technique and thematic focus.
Overview
Setsubun Festival at Sensōji is a painting by Suzuki Kiitsu, completed in 1857. This work captures a scene from the traditional Japanese Setsubun festival, likely held at the Sensōji temple, a significant cultural site. The composition features figures engaged in festive activities, rendered with vibrant colors that evoke the celebratory atmosphere of the event. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Kiitsu's approach to this scene emphasizes clarity and decorative detail. The figures' colorful robes are rendered with precision, contrasting with the lighter background, which allows the festive elements to stand out prominently. The composition arranges the stage, performers, and symbolic objects in a balanced manner, drawing the viewer's eye across the various components of the celebration. The distinct calligraphy on the scroll adds an additional layer of visual and cultural information.
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