One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets - Lovely design from Toyokuni III's series pairing beauties with Japan's famous "One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets," an anthology featuring classical verses. Each features a beauty in a scene from daily life, in one of two different formats. One style features a decorative shaded border running across the top of the page. The title cartouche takes the form of an open book, with a portrait of the featured poet on one page and the accompanying poem on the other page. The second format includes a text cartouche shaped like an unrolled scroll, with small rectangular insets featuring the poet's portrait and poem. A charming beauty series, nicely detailed.

Mibu no Tadami, Poet No. 41 - Charming image of a beauty sewing, holding up a needle as she carefully threads it. A length of red floral fabric is draped across her lap, and a black lacquer sewing chest topped with a pincushion rests on the floor nearby. She wears a striped kimono tied with a black obi that reverses to a tan print. The poem by the Heian era poet Mibu no Tadami reads:

It is true I love,
But the rumor of my love
Had gone far and wide,
When people should not have known
That I had begun to love.

An attractive scene from daily life, nicely detailed.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 14 1/2" x 9 7/8" + top margin as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse at top corners from previous mounting. A couple small holes, repaired. Slight toning and creasing, mark. Please see photos for details. Good overall.