Kiyochika: Sugawara no Michizane in Exile

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915)
Title:   Sugawara no Michizane in Exile
Date: 1884

Sugawara no Michizane was a 10th century nobleman, famous as a scholar, poet and calligrapher who was appointed ambassador to China. Due to slander from his Fujiwara rivals, he was exiled to a remote region in Kyushu. Here we see him beneath a crescent moon on a deserted beach, looking noble as the wind blows his court robes, the desolate beach conveying his isolation. One of his poems is written on the poem slip that forms the cartouche.The reflection of the moon on the water and the flock of flying birds add to the atmosphere. The pine tree on his right has seen the support of its roots worn away by the tides, so perhaps the poet is being compared to the tree. The landscape is  beautiful yet deserted and the trees roots seem almost magical. We see the influence of western printing in the way that the tree has been printed. 

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: ôban triptych (each sheet approx. 35.5 cm x 24 cm)
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi Reference: See the Minneapolis Institute of Art collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection. 
Signature: Shinseirô Kobayashi Kiyochika

SKU: KYC473