One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets -  Kuniyoshi's circa 1840 - 1842 series "One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets" is based on the famous anthology of classical Japanese waka poems collected in the thirteenth century by the poet and calligrapher Fujiwara no Teika. For each verse, Kuniyoshi presents a portrait of the poet or a scene suggested by the poem itself. The verse appears in a box next to the series title in the upper right corner. Subjects range from the poets writing or contemplating nature to the daily activities of noblemen and peasants alike. Nicely composed and detailed, many designs include soft bokashi shading in the background. A rarely seen Kuniyoshi series and a nice complement to his more well-known subjects.

Suo no Naishi (Lady Suo), Poet No. 67 - Charming Heian era scene of a young nobleman peering between the reed blinds at a beauty and her companion. The young woman at left shyly smiles behind her sleeve while the other beauty hides her face behind her folding fan. The beauties wear layers of elegant kimono over long red pants, the fabric trailing onto the floor around them. A screen at upper left features strips of patterned cloth, and a border of clouds runs across the top of the page. The verse by poetess Suo no Naishi (Lady Suo) reads:

If I lay my head
Upon his arm in the dark
Of a short spring night,
This innocent dream pillow
Will be the death of my good name.

A beautifully detailed design from a rarely seen Kuniyoshi series.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

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

Condition - This print with good color and excellent detail as shown. Backed with thin paper. Faint spotting, very slight rubbing. Please see photos for details. Good overall.