A Girl Writing a Letter

The seated young woman has been writing what is probably a love letter, but she attempts to hide it from the man who has just entered. The painting on the sliding screen behind the figures provides Harunobu with the opportunity to elaborate on the theme of letter writing by alluding to a classical episode from ancient Chinese history. Su Wu (J.: Sobu), a Chinese general of the Han period (206 B.C.–A.D. 220), was captured by invading forces and held captive for nineteen years in Central Asia. He was ultimately rescued by his people, who had received Su Wu's messages by geese, which functioned like carrier pigeons in Asia. By invoking the plight of Su Wu, Harunobu's print suggests that the present letter was also intended to be the crucial link in a dramatic adventure, had the young man not discovered it.

Credit: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929