The Twelfth Month (Harumachizuki), from the series "Fashionable Monthly Visits to Sacred Places in the Four Seasons (Furyu shiki no tsuki mode)" c. 1784

"The Twelfth Month (Harumachizuki)" is a woodblock print from the series "Fashionable Monthly Visits to Sacred Places in the Four Seasons (Furyu shiki no tsuki mode)" by the renowned Japanese artist Torii Kiyonaga. Created around 1784, the artwork depicts four figures, likely a couple and two courtesans, dressed in elegant Edo period attire, showcasing the intricacies of Japanese fashion. The scene likely takes place at a shrine or temple, highlighting a popular leisure activity of the time, a visit to such a sacred place. Kiyonaga's meticulous attention to detail in the clothing, the setting, and the figures' expressions exemplifies the exquisite style of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which captured the vibrant life and culture of Edo-period Japan. The print, currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to the artistic brilliance and cultural significance of this period.