Not currently on view
In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of August 2026
FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG
These elegant surimono prints come from a set of five images inspired by the legend of the Shinto Supreme Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. She was once so offended by her brother that she retreated into a cave, leaving the earth in darkness. Several attempts to lure her out with cocks crowing, music-making, and a goddess dancing failed, but a mirror hung from a nearby tree made Amaterasu curious, bringing her to the entrance of the cave. A stone was quickly placed at the entrance to block her way back into the cave, and light was restored to the world. Each print is set against a blue evening sky with embossed clouds enriched with gold, silver, and copper.
Be the first to share your thoughts.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Totoya Hokkei
Utagawa Kunisada
Utagawa Kunisada
Yokogawa Horitake|Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章
Yashima Gakutei
Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769–1825) — Bando Mitsugoro IV 
Utagawa Sadamasu (Japanese) — Nakamura Utaemon IV as Ono Sad
Yashima Gakutei
Yanagawa Shigenobu (Japanese, 1787–1832) — The Geisha Motozu
Katsukawa Shunshō 勝川春章
Katsukawa Shunshō (Japanese, 1726–1792) — Nakajima Kanzaemon
