Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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A poem by Abe no Nakamaro from the unfinished set Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki, “Hundred Poems Explained by the Wet Nurse.” Twenty seven prints known with extant drawings for another sixty two. Published in 1835 by Nishimuraya Yohachi (who issued five) who then sold the blocks to Iseya Sanjiro. Shows the poet on a mount with Chinese soldiers waiting to take him away and imprison him. An unconventional interpretation of the poem which has Nakamaro left in a high pagoda to starve to death for attempting to steal the secrets of the Chinese calendar. He gazes at the moon (seen here reflected in the sea) and asks if it’s the same moon as that rising over his homeland – Japan.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Zen Hokusai with Manji seal. As with others in this set, the signature is near the extreme edge and is often trimmed off.

Status: Sold