Suzaku Gate moon

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
Woodblock Print Name: Suzaku Gate moon
Series Number: #20
Date: 02/1886
Description: Minamoto no Hiromasa (918-980 AD, Hakugu Sammi) was an accomplished musician, proficient in hichiriki, koto, biwa, and flute. He was said to have studied flute under Semimaru. In this image, Hiromasa (back to the viewer) plays a duet with a foreigner under the Suzakumon gate of the imperial palace in Kyoto. In the Noh play, Suzaku Gate, Hiromasa plays a duet with a mysterious figure. The stranger plays wonderfully, and the two exchange instruments. According to legend, this may be where Hiromasa acquires the famous flute, Ha - futatsu. This may be the scene depicted here.
Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon

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