Fisherman and Boy Startled by a Celestial Maiden Picking a Lotus

A man, perhaps a fisherman, and a young boy stare in amazement as a Celestial Maiden, known as a hiten 飛天, or apsaras, flies above a pond gathering immense lotuses. These angelic beings appear in Buddhist texts accompanying Buddhas and playing music. They are a frequent motif in Buddhist art, often shown flying with their scarves and robes trailing elegantly behind them. Lotuses are also common in Buddhist art, symbolizing enlightenment or purity because they rise beautiful and pristine out of muddy ponds. Although this print is not signed by Moronobu, the figures and character of the lines are similar to his style; he was also known to have some training in Buddhist painting.