Poem by Emperor Sanjo, from the series One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by an Old Nurse, 1835-36. Hokusai used a poetry anthology as inspiration for a series of prints. It illustrates a melancholy poem about death and the moon that Emperor Sanjo (976-1017, reigned 1012-16) wrote while suffering from illness and facing pressure to abdicate, which he did in 1016, dying only a year later. Stylized clouds frame a moonlit ceremony honoring the long-suffering emperor’s memory. A priest raises a gohei , a ritual implement with zig-zag strips of white paper attached to a staff
Poem by Emperor Sanjo, from the series One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by an Old Nurse, 1835-36. Hokusai used a poetry anthology as inspiration for a series of prints. It illustrates a melancholy poem about death and the moon that Emperor Sanjo (976-1017, reigned 1012-16) wrote while suffering from illness and facing pressure to abdicate, which he did in 1016, dying only a year later. Stylized clouds frame a moonlit ceremony honoring the long-suffering emperor’s memory. A priest raises a gohei , a ritual implement with zig-zag strips of white paper attached to a staff, while the surrounding figures reverentially bow.
Size: 7599px × 5174px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1615-1868, 1760-1849, art, cleveland, colour, edo, heritage, hokusai, japan, japanese, katsushika, museum, period, print, woodblock
