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.

Chunagon Yukihira, Poet No. 16 - Poignant scene from the popular kabuki play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" of the beauty Chiyo affectionately tapping her son Kotaro under the chin with her folding fan. Chiyo and her husband, the samurai Matsuomaru, decide to substitute Kotaro for the son of Matsumomaru's former sponsor to repay a debt of gratitude to him. Enemies of the sponsor have ordered his son to be killed, so the couple knows that their child will be killed in his place. A handsome image of a lighter moment between mother and son, with fine shading in the background. The poem by the featured poet, Chunagon Yukihira, also known as Ariwara no Yukihira, reads:

Though we are parted,
If on Mount Inaba's peak
I should hear the sound
Of the pine trees growing there,
I'll come back again to you.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

Image Size - 9 3/4" x 13 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse at top corners from previous mounting. Small hole, repaired. Slight soiling, a few spots, slight rubbing and a few small creases at edges. Please see photos for details. Good overall.