Ota Dokan Decides to Study Poetry - Poignant image of a young woman named Benizara, whose father owned a rundown mill in the countryside. Caught during a rainstorm, the great 15th century leader Ota Dokan stopped at the mill and asked to borrow a straw raincoat. Instead, Benizara presented him with a tray of yamabuki, yellow mountain roses, while reciting a 10th century poem. An assistant had to explain to Dokan that the family was too poor to lend him a simple coat, and he felt terribly ashamed, deciding then and there to learn poetry so he that could become more empathetic. The young beauty is shown kneeling in the slanting rain, a tray holding the flowers in her outstretched hand, her long black hair tumbling over her shoulders. Dokan looks down at her with his fan held to his face, dressed in a traditional Heian era hunting costume with spotted deerskin chaps and a woven straw hat with a tall crown. Yamabuki flowers trail over the top of a fenced enclosure behind the beauty. Nicely detailed with touches of embossing and burnishing.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 14" x 18 7/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Two separate panels. A couple small thinning spots, repaired, blends well. Slight rubbing, very slight soiling. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.