Who painted Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu?

Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu was painted by Torii Kiyonaga in 1782.

Where can I see Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu?

Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu?

Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu

Torii Kiyonaga , 1782

Nakasu no suzumi|Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyonaga. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The composition captures a moment of leisure during the summer heat, with the subjects positioned to emphasize their individual postures and interactions.

Nakasu no suzumi (Enjoying the Evening Cool at Nakasu), created in 1782 by Torii Kiyonaga, is a prominent ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting three figures in a domestic interior. The composition captures a moment of leisure during the summer heat, with the subjects positioned to emphasize their individual postures and interactions. On the left, a standing woman in a brown robe with gold patterns holds a fan inscribed with text.

Beside her, a seated woman in a red, loose-fitting kimono leans on a walking stick, her attire featuring intricate patterns. To the right, a man kneels with arms crossed, dressed in dark clothing accented by a red sash. Kiyonaga, a leading master of the Torii school, is renowned for his ability to render full-length figures with elegant proportions and sophisticated spatial arrangements.

This work exemplifies his mature style, characterized by the harmonious balance of figures within the frame and the subtle use of color to convey texture and atmosphere. Produced during the peak of the Edo period's print culture, the piece reflects the era's fascination with urban leisure and the refined aesthetics of the merchant class. The print stands as a significant example of Kiyonaga's contribution to the development of the bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) genre and the broader evolution of Japanese printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a moment of relaxed evening leisure. The woman on the left holds a fan bearing calligraphic text, suggesting a cultured pastime, while the seated woman leans on a stick, her loose garment indicating informal comfort. The kneeling man, crossed‑armed and dressed in dark attire with a red sash, adds a subtle sense of contemplation, together conveying a serene domestic atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Kiyonaga employs the ukiyo‑e tradition of clean, flowing lines and flat areas of color to delineate clothing and facial features. The limited palette, browns, reds, and muted golds, enhances the calm mood, while the precise carving of the woodblocks allows for delicate patterning on the garments and the fan’s surface.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the late eighteenth century, during the peak of Edo‑period printmaking. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, where it remains displayed as an example of Kiyonaga’s mature work and the broader cultural life of the period.