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.

Lady Ise, Poet No. 19 - Handsome kabuki portrait of Otani, the divorced wife of the warrior Karaki Masaemon, in a play based on the Igagoe Revenge. Her husband has divorced her so that he can safely pursue a vendetta against the man who has murdered his friend's brother. Here, the beauty stands in the snow after traveling to a shrine be reunited with her husband. Their infant son is cradled against her chest under her kimono, and she wears a straw raincoat over her white pilgrim's vest. She carries a hat and walking stick, and smiles slightly as she looks over her shoulder, joyfully anticipating meeting Masaemon again. Snow falls heavily and the wintry gray sky is softly shaded. The verse by the poet Lady Ise reads:

Even for a time
Short as a piece of the reeds
In Naniwa's marsh,
We must never meet again:
Is this what you are asking me?

An attractive design from this interesting series.

Artist - Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861)

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

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