Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets #43: Gonchunagon Atsutada, 1842. Oban.
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The One Hundred Poets series, Hyaku-nin isshu, is an anthology of one hundred poems by one hundred different poets compiled in the thirteenth-century by the critic and poet Fujiwara no Sadaie (also known as Teika). The poems are all five-line poems of 31 syllables arranged as 5, 7, 5, 7 and 7. This form was known as waka and is now known as tanka. The hundred poets are in approximately chronological order from the seventh through the thirteenth centuries. The number associated with each poet appears in the margin of most of the prints, with a few incorrectly numbered. Some of the prints portray the poets, and some show scenes associated with their lives or poetry. The poem and some descriptive text appear on each print in the broad rectangular cartouche.
This print represents number 43, by Gonchunagon Atsutada. It is a tremendous piece from a rare series that is highly regarded. The poem here is:
I have met my love.
When I compare this present
With feelings of the past,
My passion is now as if
I have never loved before.
We see the poet receiving a message from a young page. One wonders whether the woman waits outside this marvellous 'origami’ interior or whether the page brings bad news.
Colour and impression are very fine, lovely delicate shading and fine crisp lines. Particularly fine is the detailed work on patterned fabrics which is really outstanding. Overall the condition is excellent, small offset mark on screen.
37 x 26 cm.
