The sweet visage of the Heron Maiden is emphasized by the radiating spires of the umbrella that she carries against the falling snow. She reaches out in greeting towards two herons that cross in front of all of the elements of the design, their wings even covering a portion of the cartouche and their feet extending into the margin. Another heron is at her feet. She is of course by nature a heron, and she wears layers of snowy white brocade. As the story goes, a young man who rescues a heron soon after meets a mysterious and beautiful girl. They fall in love and marry, and she makes him promise to never look at her while she weaves her beautiful brocade. One day he cannot help but peek, and sees that she is of course the heron that he had saved. After her secret is exposed, she must fly away and leave him forever.
Appearance List Sagi Musume (鷺娘, “The Heron Maiden,” Kabuki, first performed 1762; revised 1773, 1815, 1842), Ehon Hyaku Monogatari (絵本百物語, “Picture Book of 100 Stories,” 1841) by Takehara Shunsen, The Heron Maiden by Yamamura Kōka The Met, Heron Maiden by Kitano Tsunetomi St. Louis Art Museum, Spirit of the Heron Maiden by Taniguchi Kokyo Ronin Gallery.
Sample Read The Dance of the Heron Maiden – Sagi Musume Explained [YT]
Description The sweet visage of the Heron Maiden is emphasized by the radiating spires of the umbrella that she carries against the falling snow. She reaches out in greeting towards two herons that cross in front of all of the elements of the design, their wings even covering a portion of the cartouche and their feet extending into the margin. Another heron is at her feet. She is of course by nature a heron, and she wears layers of snowy white brocade. As the story goes, a young man who rescues a heron soon after meets a mysterious and beautiful girl. They fall in love and marry, and she makes him promise to never look at her while she weaves her beautiful brocade. One day he cannot help but peek, and sees that she is of course the heron that he had saved. After her secret is exposed, she must fly away and leave him forever.
