Lovers' Parting Embrace through a Mosquito Net

A young woman and wakashū are shown after having a sexual encounter, apparent from the tossed pillow, hairpin, and tissues on the floor, with the woman attempting to pull the wakashu back to bed but to no avail as the netting separates their touch. With this, you see a type of female desperateness from the woman as the wakashū exhibits a form of male power not only by the towering position but also in the way she cannot keep her lover in her grasp. This print showcases a more typical behavior from wakashū, adopting an active role in the interaction with the woman and taking the initiative to leave once the sexual activity is over. Additionally, it’s important to take note of the symbolism represented by the monkey in Zen Buddhism. The monkey reaching for the reflection of the moon in the water in hopes of catching the actual moon is a parallel to the woman in that the wakashū is out of her reach and unattainable. We often see the wakashū in the act of sex or romantic gesture, but this print sheds light on the way they do not always uphold the act and must assert dominance over the situation.

Annie Wen