The Eighth Month (Chushu), from the series "Popular Versions of Immortal Poets in Four Seasons (Fuzoku shiki kasen)"

Art Historical Context

Suzuki Harunobu's *The Eighth Month (Chushu)*, created around 1768, is a charming color woodblock print from the series *Popular Versions of Immortal Poets in Four Seasons (uzoku shiki kas)*. This chuban-format print (28.2 × 21 cm) captures the essence of late summer in Edo-period Japan, blending classical and Japanese poetry traditions with vibrant contemporary life. Harunobu, a master of ukiyo-e—the "pictures of the floating world" depicting everyday pleasures—pioneered full-color nishiki-e prints in the 1760s, revolutionizing Japanese printmaking with their delicate hues and intricate details achieved through multiple woodblocks. In this series, Harunobu reimagines timeless poets as fashionable figures of 18th-century society, set against seasonal backdrops. *Chushu*, the eighth lunar month, evokes harvest time and cooling evenings, likely featuring elegant women in kimonos amid autumnal motifs. The print's small scale made it affordable and popular among urban dwellers, reflecting the cultural boom of woodblock art in Edo (modern Tokyo). Harunobu's subtle shading (known as *fuki-bokashi*) and poetic elegance highlight ukiyo-e's artistic significance, influencing later masters like Hiroshige and Hokusai. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this work invites visitors to appreciate how art bridged ancient verse with fleeting modern beauty.

About the Artist

Suzuki Harunobu · 1725–1770

Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1725-1770) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who revolutionized woodblock printing by developing nishiki-e—full-color prints using multiple woodblocks—in 1765. Before Harunobu, Japanese prints were limited to two or three colors; his innovation unleashed the entire artist's palette, transforming ukiyo-e into the vibrant art form that would later captivate Western artists from Manet...