Comparison of the Ogura One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each -  Handsome design from a terrific series pairing a verse from the best-loved collection of Japanese poetry, "The One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each," with figures from Japanese history or theater. Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, and Kunisada each designed prints for the series. Divided into two parts, the first group of prints features a poem next to the series title, while the second half includes a fan-shaped inset with a portrait of the featured poet. A wonderful and unusual series with great designs by the top artists of the mid-19th century. These prints would make great additions to any ukiyo-e collection.

Sone no Yoshitada, Poet No. 46 - Intriguing scene of the young beauty Usuyuki-hime and the ferryman Wastashimori from the kabuki play "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari." She stands on the shore wearing a lovely kimono patterned with cherry blossoms and a flowing stream, a long cloth covering her head, holding a walking stick and hat. The ferryman reacts in surprise upon seeing her alive, after she was supposed to have been beheaded. The verse by the tenth-century poet Sone no Yoshitada reads:

Like a mariner
Sailing over Yura's strait
With his rudder gone:
Where, over the deep of love,
The end lies, I do not know.

Beautiful detail in the beauty's expressive face and the sumptuous fabrics, plus fine shading in the water.

Artist - Hiroshige (1797 - 1858)

Image Size - 13 1/4" x 8 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. Small loss at corner, small wormhole, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases, slight rubbing at edges, light rippling. Please see photos for details. Good overall.