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A work made of hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on paper.

Dancer with a Maple Branch

About 1780-90

Katsukawa Shunsho 勝川 春章 Japanese, 1726-1792

Japan

This woman is performing the Momijigari dance, which is done in autumn using branches of red maple as props. She has partially undone her outer robe to reveal one sleeve of the red garment she wears underneath. Red maple leaves can be found as a motif indicating autumn throughout painting and the decorative arts in Japan.

Hanging scroll; Ink, color, and gold on paper

Arts of Asia