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.

Saki-no-Daisojo Jien, Poet No. 95 - Great scene from the kabuki play "Seki no To" of the beauty Sumizome, who is actually the Spirit of the Cherry Tree, doing battle with the gate keeper Sekibei, who is attempting to chop down the tree during a drunken rage. The beauty waves a flowering cherry branch, her long hair falling over her shoulders and back, dressed in a red kimono patterned with cherry blossoms. Sekibei has fallen onto one knee, grimacing angrily as he grips an axe with an enormous blade decorated with flames. The verse by the twelfth-century Saki-no-Daisojo Jien (the abbot Jien) reads:

From the monastery
On Mount Hiei I look out
On this world of tears,
And though I am unworthy,
I shield it with my black sleeves.

A terrific design from the series.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

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

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Stitching holes at side, small losses and thinning at edge, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, slight rubbing at edges, a few small marks. Please see photos for details.