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Suzuki Harunobu

Sugawara Michizane Going into Exile

c. 1763/64
Color woodblock print; hosoban, mizu-e
31 × 14.2 cm (12.2 × 5.6 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Through the efforts of the Fujiwara clan, Sugawara Michizane was discredited in the eyes of Emperor Daigo and ordered to assume a post in remote Kyushu. Here, he is seated on an ox. According to the long cartouche on the right, Michizane gazes over the sea and waning moon, reflecting that he cannot see the moon that shines on the capital. He died in remote Dazaifu in 903. Because of his reputation as a scholar and accomplished poet in both Chinese and Japanese, a Shinto festival soon began to take place at his tomb in the eighth month of each year.

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