Komura Settai
Komura Settai was a Japanese artist, illustrator, and designer whose elegant visual language combined the legacy of ukiyo-e with a strikingly modern sense of composition. In The Starry Night, a single beautifully dressed woman (bijin) stands alone beneath an immense night sky, gazing upward at a delicate crescent moon and distant stars. Settai reduces the scene to its essentials: clean lines, broad areas of color, carefully balanced empty space, and a restrained palette. The result feels both traditional and surprisingly modern. Rather than telling us exactly what the woman is thinking, he leaves us with a mood and a quiet, slightly melancholic moment of solitude beneath the night sky.
And speaking of being single… today is Singles’ Day! Celebrated on November 11 (11/11), the date was chosen because the four ones resemble single people standing on their own. What began in China as an informal celebration of single life has since become one of the world’s biggest shopping days. So we’re joining in with a special treat: enjoy 20% OFF EVERYTHING in the DailyArt Shop today—including our beautiful 2027 Calendars and all the Japanese inspired art! Perfect whether you’re buying something for someone you love or, very appropriately, just for yourself. 💙
P.S. Settai’s moonlit scene is just one example of Japan’s rich print tradition. How well do you know Japanese prints? Take our quiz and see!