Minneapolis Institute of Art

Lovers Plying a Rooster with Sake

Suzuki Harunobu

Date: 1767–68
Medium: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
Department: Asian Art
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Art

A hallmark of Suzuki Harunobu’s artistic vision is his charming, if somewhat unlikely, depiction of young lovers. Here, a couple gives sake to a rooster in hopes the bird will become too intoxicated to crow, thus prolonging their time together before the household awakens. Seen through the open sliding door, a lantern in the adjoining room indicates it is still early morning, before the previous evening’s accoutrements have been stowed away. However, beyond the woven fence at lower right, an unohana flower, which blossoms in summer, hints that dawn will come early, adding urgency to the lovers’ antics. Japan, Asia

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