Description: This work consists of two harmoniously related scenes rendered in delicate ink and soft colors, each bearing the seal “井傳.” The upper panel portrays four noble figures in formal court attire, their richly patterned robes and composed postures reflecting the refinement of classical Japanese aristocratic culture. The artist’s restrained use of space emphasizes the elegance of their garments and the calm dignity of the gathering. The lower panel offers a contrasting yet complementary moment of quiet contemplation, featuring a solitary scholar seated beneath faint tree shadows as he reads. His layered robes and serene posture evoke a poetic sense of introspection. Together, the two images form a balanced narrative of courtly presence and scholarly calm, showcasing the artist’s sensitivity to gesture, costume, and atmospheric simplicity. A graceful example of traditional Japanese figure painting. Author: Kōgyo Tsukioka (月岡 耕漁, Tsukioka Kōgyo), sometimes called Kōgyo Sakamaki (坂巻 耕漁, Sakamaki Kōgyo), (April 18, 1869 – February 25, 1927) was a Japanese artist of the Meiji period. He was a student and adopted son of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, and also studied with Ogata Gekkō. Kōgyo’s style was heavily influenced by the traditional Japanese theater form of kabuki and Noh. He specialized in creating prints and paintings of actors in costume and in dramatic poses, often surrounded by elaborate sets and scenery. His works were highly detailed and meticulously rendered, capturing the beauty and drama of the kabuki performances. Unlike most ukiyo-e prints, his works have an almost painterly quality and use gold and silver for the Noh costume embellishments. Kogyo’s woodblock prints required very skilled engravers and printers to produce. Kōgyo’s contributions to the art world were widely recognized during his lifetime. He was a member of the prestigious Tokyo School of Fine Arts and was awarded numerous prizes and honors for his work. His prints and paintings were exhibited in galleries around the world, including the Tokyo National Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.