Autumn Moon on the Mirror Stand, from an untitled series of Eight Views

A popular theme called the “Eight Parlor Views” (Zashiki Hakkei 座敷八景) offered a witty domestic interpretation of the traditional Eight Views themes. In this scene, Autumn Moon of the Mirror Stand (Kyōdai no shūgetsu 鏡台の秋月), a woman gazes into her round mirror, creating multiple layers of meaning. The landscape painting of a lakeshore behind her suggests the original Autumn Moon over Lake Dòngtíng, while the location of the mirror may imply the moon’s reflection in water. Her pale, round face completes the metaphor as the “real” moon, cleverly connecting everyday beauty routines with classical landscape themes.