"Moonsong-1" opens a series in which Maki Haku translates the traditional Japanese moon poem into abstract printmaking terms. The moon's disc, its reflection in water, the quality of cold lunar light filtered through clouds or leaves — these conventional subjects of Japanese poetry become, in his hands, occasions for exploring luminosity, circular form, and the relationship between concentrated brightness and surrounding darkness. The "song" component suggests a lyrical dimension beyond pure formal abstraction.
![Mount Fuji on a Moonlit Night, Kawai Bridge (Tsukiyo no Fuji [Kawaibashi]), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)" by Kawase Hasui](https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/d0960668-1e73-339a-b182-fb995a54bff0/full/843,/0/default.jpg)
1947
Color woodblock print; oban
March 1933
Color woodblock print; oban
1919
Color woodblock print
January 1938
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Moonsong-1 was created by Maki Haku (巻白).
Moonsong-1 depicts moonlight, night scenes, and calligraphy.
