MWW Artwork of the Day (8/26/17)
Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849)
Poem by Kakinomoto Hitomaro (1839)
from the series "One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse"
Polychrome woodblock print, 25.7 x 37.1 cm.
This print is from Hokusai's last important print series, left incomplete at his death. "One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets" is a famous anthology of classical waka poems.
Kakinomoto Hitomaro (active late seventh–early eighth century), the author of this poem, was known for his intense language and subject matter. Like Hokusai, he had a gift for observation and for finding the human inflection in landscape.
Ashibiki no
yamatori no o no
hidari o no
hitori ka mo nemu
Trailing,
the mountain pheasant's tail
long and longer this night too,
spent along will be.
For more Hokusai, check out these MWW galleries:
* Hokusai/Hiroshige - Fuji Views & Tokaido Stages