Sakai Hoitsu, (1761-1828)

Jurojin with crane and poem

hanging scroll, ink and colors on paper, signed Hoitsu-dai with three seals, Dokko moritake sokan, Ukaan, and Bunsen; accompanied by storage box with the lid inscribed with the title, Juro gasan, Hoitsu Shonin hitsu (picture of Juro[jin], by honorable Hoitsu), and the interior inscribed, Tenko an

painting 32 7/8 by 9 1/2 in., 83.5 by 24 cm
overall 43 1/4 by 10 in., 110 by 25.5 cm

The first artist's seal apparently references two classical renga (collaborative poetry) poets, Arakida Moritake (1473-1549) and Yamazaki Sokan (1465-1553).

The poem references Jurojin, longevity, and a celestial legend:

The plum is associated with both the winter and old age (as in the winter of life). The south star is Jurojin himself, in Chinese mythology he is the Taoist deification of Canopus, the brightest star of the southern constellation Carina.