Kuniyoshi: Station Chiryû, Poet with Irises

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861)
Title: Station Chiryû, number 40
Series: “Fifty-three Parallels for the Tôkaidô Road”.
Date: ca. 1845

The 9th century poet Ariwara Narihira gestures to his attendant to pick a blooming iris. A young attendant stands behind him, holding his sword. Narihira composed a famous poem with “iris” (Ka-ki-tsu-ba-ta) forming the first syllables of each stanza. Here we must be witnessing his moment of inspiration.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Restored binding holes right margin.
Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburô
Literature: See Tôkaidô Texts and Tales, edited by Andreas Marks, page 122.
Signature: Ichiryûsai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUY441