Tossing Dishes Over a Cliff c. 1766 - 1767

"Tossing Dishes Over a Cliff" is a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, created during the Edo period. It’s a moment suspended in time, portraying a woman in elegant dress casually discarding dishware over a precipice. During Harunobu's time, there was a rising merchant class who were beginning to acquire wealth. With this new money came a desire for leisure and pleasure. The woman’s attire suggests she is either a courtesan or from a wealthy family, distanced from the practical concerns of daily labor. The act of tossing dishes, a sign of wastefulness, speaks volumes about class and wealth. The act of nonchalantly discarding dishes can be read as a commentary on the fleeting nature of beauty, pleasure, and material wealth. Harunobu’s prints often capture the emotional and social complexities of Edo period Japan, inviting us to reflect on the values and contradictions of a society in transition.