Ono no Komachi by the Waterfall (Shimizu), from the series The Seven Fashionable Aspects of Komachi (Furyu yatsushi nana Komachi) Possibly 1615 - 1868

"Ono no Komachi by the Waterfall (Shimizu)" was created by Suzuki Harunobu in Japan, as part of his series "The Seven Fashionable Aspects of Komachi." Harunobu worked during the Edo period, a time of economic growth and social change, particularly for the merchant class who became patrons of the arts. Here, Harunobu presents two women in contemporary fashion, playfully referencing the legendary poet Ono no Komachi. Komachi was renowned for her beauty, talent, and later, her life of poverty and desolation. This print re-imagines her story through the lens of contemporary life. The women are depicted near a waterfall, a nod to Komachi's association with ascetic practices, yet their fine clothing complicates the narrative. This series reflects a broader cultural interest in reinterpreting classical themes within the浮世絵, ukiyo-e tradition, or "pictures of the floating world." Harunobu challenges traditional representations by blending the past and present, inviting us to reflect on the fluidity of identity. He captures a sense of longing, reminding us of the transient nature of beauty.