1827
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
This print shows a person from behind, dressed in a richly patterned robe with big circles and swirls. They’re sitting at a low wooden table, leaning over a piece of paper. On the table, there’s a brush holder with two brushes and a small black box—likely ink. The background has a simple landscape with green hills and clouds, and the whole scene is framed by a decorative border. The text around the edges is Japanese poetry, hinting this image ties to writing and culture. The brush and ink suggest the person is practicing calligraphy, a valued skill in traditional Japanese life. Look up brush, writing, calligraphy next to see how artists used these tools in daily life.
