Youth As a Stand in Monju — Antique Asian Art Print

The Story in the Margin

This is a mitate-e, or 'parody picture'—a favorite ukiyo-e device in which a contemporary figure stands in for a classical or religious subject, inviting the viewer to spot the wit in the substitution. Here a fashionable young man takes the place of Monju Bosatsu (Manjushri), the bodhisattva of wisdom traditionally shown seated on a lion, with everyday props like a pipe and tobacco case replacing the deity's usual attributes. Suzuki Harunobu popularized this kind of visual pun in the mid-18th century, and it remained a favorite way for artists to bring sacred imagery down into the ordinary pleasures of Edo life.

Materials & origin

• Material: 200 gsm gallery-grade, acid-free fine-art paper (FSC-certified).
• Print: Archival giclée, 12-colour printing, smooth matte finish for glare-free display.
• Artwork: Restored from a public-domain original; colour and detail digitally cleaned for large-format print.
• Origin: Made on demand and shipped from the print hub nearest you, cutting transit and waste.
• Framing: Sold unframed; ships rolled in a protective tube.