Moon Viewing, from The Tale of Heike

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this painting as hanging scroll; ink and light color on paper and credits Yosa Buson (Japanese, 1716–1783).

The museum's collection notes: Drawing from Japanese literature, Yosa Buson copied almost the entire text of the “Moon Viewing” episode from The Tale of the Heike , a story of the rise and fall of the Taira family. The two characters he painted were given nicknames based on 31-syllable waka poems they composed. Seen from behind at the top is Matsuyoi, or “Waiting at Nightfall,” while the person striding below is Mono ka wa Kurando, roughly equivalent to “‘It’s Nothing’ Chamberlain.”