Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

1786-1865

A Pictorial Commentary on One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets: no. 23, Oe no Chisato, and no. 24, Kanke
(Hyakunin isshu esho: Oe no Chisato, Kanke)

each sheet signed Kunisada aratame Nidai Toyokuni ga (Kunisada changing his name to Toyokuni II) with his Toshidama seal, censor's seal Tanaka, followed by the publisher's seal Sanoki (Sanoya Kihei of Kikakudo), ca. 1844

oban tate-e diptych 14 1/4 by 19 7/8 in., 36.3 by 50.5 cm

The poems by the poets Oe no Chisato and Kanke are presented as the front and back of poem cards:

Poem by Oe no Chisato upper card (front):
Tsuki mireba
Chijhi ni mono koso
kanashikere

lower card (back):
waga mi hitotsu no
aki ni ha aranedo

When I look at the moon
I am overcome by the sadness
of a thousand, thousand things-
even though it is not fall
for me alone

Poem by Kanke upper card (front):
Kono tabi ha
nusa mo tori-ahezu
tamuke-yama

lower card (back):
momijhi no nishiki
kami no mani-mani

This time around
I couldn't even bring sacred streamers
-Offering Hill-
but if this brocade of autumn leaves
is to the gods' liking...

Reference:
Joshua S. Mostow, The Hundred Poets Compared, 2007, p. 80-82 (poem translations)

(inv. no. 10-5234)

price: Sold