JAPANESE ART > UKIYO-E WOODBLOCK PRINTS > THE POETESS AKASHI

Lot 00706
N.1 ukiyo-e woodblock print

Katsushika Hokusai

THE POETESS AKASHI

Year: 1805 ca.
Condition: good
Size: 9 x 13 cm

SOLD

Important original woodblock print of vertical yatsugiriban (八切判) format, made around 1805 by the famous artist Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎). The work, depicting the poetess Akashi Urando (明石浦人), is taken from a series of prints possibly intended for use as playing cards and known under the title "Kyokashi Zo Shu" (狂歌師像集), that is "Collection of Portraits of Kyoka Poets".

In the upper part of the work, a poetic composition that is not easy to read and which, in all probability, says: «The young leaves / sprout / from a willow. / Sweet awakening at dawn / on the river bank» (若みとり / うえととのへる / 葉柳の / め乃さめてよき / 土手の曙).

The precious print on Japanese washi paper (和紙), despite the right signs of aging, is in good general condition.

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