Kuniyoshi: Monk Jakuren Hoshi

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title:  Monk Jakuren Hoshi
Series: One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets (Hyakunin isshu no uchi)
Date: c. 1842

The priest-poet Jakuren Hoshi walks near a grove of Chinese black pines (maki) turning his head from the viewer to admire the natural beauty. He wears richly colored ecclesiastical garb. His young attendant follows, holding a stick. As Timothy Clark notes “The grey pigments used in the background were mixed with lead white, which has tarnished to produce a pleasing mottled patina.” Number eighty-seven in the series. The poem may be translated: While the raindrops of/ the passing shower have not yet dried from/ near the leaves of the evergreens/ the mist is already rising, on/ this autumn evening” (Translation by Timothy Clark; see reference.) Jakuren Hoshi was the priestly name of the courtier Fujiwara no Sadanage, who died in 1202.

Condition:  Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban 37.6 x 25.4 cm 
Publisher:  Ebine
Literature:  Robinson S19.87. See “Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R Miller Collection” by Timothy Clark, 2009.
Signature: Ichiryusai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUC210