Young Woman Riding a Phoenix
1765
Attributed to Suzuki Harunobu 鈴木 春信 Japanese, 1725 (?)–1770
Japan
Here, a beautiful young woman riding on a phoenix holds pan pipes (sho) in her hands. The numbers for the long months of the year are visible on her sleeve.
This subject probably refers to a Chinese immortal. One possibility is the sage who was known for his enchanting flute playing, while another is the sage who was often pictured riding a phoenix.
Color woodblock print; chuban yoko-e