Cleveland Museum of Art

Beauty Receiving a Visitor

Tamura Suio

Date

late 1600s–early 1700s

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk

Culture

Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

Department

Japanese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Here, a person steps out to the engawa , a wood-floored corridor that runs along the outer edge of a house, to greet a visitor as the individual’s companions look on. A strong breeze blows the sleeves of their robes and the translucent blinds enclosing their sitting room. The group’s wealth and high status is signified by the two swords the visitor carries and everyone’s intricately patterned garments. A raised blind lets the viewer peek in to see a black lacquer box decorated with designs in gold powder and a ceramic incense burner on a hexagonal lacquer tray positioned carefully in the room’s display alcove, or toko .

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