Demon-crushing Bow 1755 - 1775

"Demon-crushing Bow" is a woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu, a prominent artist of the *ukiyo-e* (pictures of the floating world) genre in 18th century Japan. Created between 1755-1775, this print depicts a young woman in a stylish black kimono, likely a *oiran* (high-class courtesan), walking through the snow with a young man carrying a *yumi* (bow) and a *ya* (arrow), along with a basket. The print showcases Harunobu's mastery of color and composition, featuring a delicate use of pale pink, blue, and green to create a sense of elegance and sophistication. Today, this work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York.