Artwork

The Moon-Viewing Promontory, from One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo

The Moon-Viewing Promontory, from One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo is a print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1985.320
Credit line: The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith

About this work

Inside, a woman in a patterned robe sits near a tray of blue-and-white dishes, while another person’s shadow glows through a paper screen.

You’re standing on a wooden porch under pine branches, looking through an open doorway at a moonlit bay. Inside, a woman in a patterned robe sits near a tray of blue-and-white dishes, while another person’s shadow glows through a paper screen.

Hiroshige shows the quiet moment after the party, music’s over, guests are gone, but someone lingers, still watching the moon. The print uses flat colors and sharp lines, no shading, to keep the scene simple and still.

If you like this, look up more works about japan, edo period (1615–1868).

Overview

Utagawa Hiroshige’s woodblock print, part of the series One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo, depicts a moon‑viewing scene on a pine‑lined promontory. The composition frames a doorway that opens onto a moonlit view of Edo Bay, while figures inside a modest interior linger after the gathering.

Subject & Meaning

Through a translucent paper screen a woman in a patterned kimono is seated near a tray of blue‑and‑white porcelain, suggesting a quiet contemplation of the autumn moon. A second, partially hidden figure is suggested only by a silhouette and the fall of a garment, emphasizing the lingering presence of participants after the festivities have ended.

Technique & Style

The print employs the ukiyo‑e approach of flat color planes and crisp outlines, avoiding chiaroscuro to convey a serene, static atmosphere. The use of bold lines and limited shading highlights the architectural elements and the subtle glow of moonlight reflected on the water beyond.

Context

Created during the Edo period (1615–1868), the work reflects the popular practice of moon‑viewing (tsukimi) and the cultural importance of seasonal poetry gatherings. It was produced as part of Hiroshige’s series documenting notable Edo locales, and copies remain in major museum collections worldwide.

名所江戸百景　月の岬|Moon Viewing Point, Utagawa Hiroshige

Artist & collection

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) or Andō Hiroshige (安藤広重), born Andō Tokutarō (安藤徳太郎; 1797 – 12 October 1858), was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition.