KUNIYOSHI - 100 Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets - c. 1845–48 - Japanese Woodblock - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 150 - € 250
 | €47 | |
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 | €40 | |
| €39 | |
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An original Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, depicting Yukihime for poem 55 of the Ogura Imitations of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets series, dating to around 1845–48 and in good condition.
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Description from the seller
** Kuniyoshi’s Yukihime from the Hundred Poets series: the painter-princess of the famous Kinkakuji act, granddaughter of the master Sesshū, from one of the three great “princess roles” of kabuki”!! **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861)
Title: Poem by Dainagon Kintō: Yukihime (大納言公任 雪姫)
Poem no.: 55
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu (小倉擬百人一首), Ogura Imitations of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets
Date: Japan, c. 1845–48 (late Edo period)
Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō (Dansendō)
Carver: Hori Fusajirō (彫工房次郎)
Text: Ryūkatei Tanekazu (柳下亭種員)
Format: Ōban, approx. 36 × 24 cm
________________________________________________
CONDITION
Good impression with excellent saturated colors across the sheet. The paper has a very light backing (Edo Paper). Minor repairs which you can identify on the verso. Very good overall! Please check the images!
________________________________________________
THE SCENE
Poem 55 of the anthology is by Fujiwara no Kintō (966–1041), the Dainagon Kintō, one of the most respected poets and critics of the Heian court:
Taki no oto wa / taete hisashiku / narinuredo / na koso nagarete / nao kikoekere
The sound of the waterfall stopped long ago, yet its name still flows on and is heard to this day.
Kuniyoshi pairs it with Yukihime, the heroine of Gion sairei shinkōki (祇園祭礼信仰記). The play was first staged for the puppet theatre in 1757 and later became a kabuki play. Its “Kinkakuji” act, set at the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, is still one of the most performed scenes in kabuki. Yukihime is the granddaughter of the great ink painter Sesshū. The rebel Matsunaga Daizen holds her captive and demands that she paint a dragon on the temple ceiling. Bound to a cherry tree, she draws a mouse with her toes in fallen cherry petals. The mouse comes to life and gnaws through her ropes. Yukihime counts among the sanhime, the three great princess roles of kabuki.
The text on the sheet refers to the treasured sword Kurikaramaru and to a waterfall striking the rocks. In the play, the sword is held against a waterfall to reveal the image of a dragon, and this exposes Daizen as the man who killed Yukihime’s father. The text also remarks how strange it is that a traitor as lawless as Matsunaga should have such a refined taste for painting.
The poem’s waterfall points directly to the waterfall of the Kinkakuji act. The second half of the poem, a name that lives on long after the sound has gone, can be read as the fame of Sesshū, carried on through his granddaughter.
________________________________________________
About the Series:
The Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu is one of the few series in which the three leading masters of the 1840s worked side by side: Kuniyoshi designed 51 sheets, Hiroshige 35 and Kunisada 14. Instead of portraying the classical poets themselves, each print pairs one of the hundred poems with a scene from history, legend or kabuki, and the viewer is invited to work out the connection, almost like a riddle. A short narrative text on each sheet tells the story behind the picture. Kuniyoshi's contributions are known for their strong figure compositions and storytelling, and each sheet joins a classical poem to a dramatic tale.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
** Kuniyoshi’s Yukihime from the Hundred Poets series: the painter-princess of the famous Kinkakuji act, granddaughter of the master Sesshū, from one of the three great “princess roles” of kabuki”!! **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861)
Title: Poem by Dainagon Kintō: Yukihime (大納言公任 雪姫)
Poem no.: 55
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu (小倉擬百人一首), Ogura Imitations of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets
Date: Japan, c. 1845–48 (late Edo period)
Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō (Dansendō)
Carver: Hori Fusajirō (彫工房次郎)
Text: Ryūkatei Tanekazu (柳下亭種員)
Format: Ōban, approx. 36 × 24 cm
________________________________________________
CONDITION
Good impression with excellent saturated colors across the sheet. The paper has a very light backing (Edo Paper). Minor repairs which you can identify on the verso. Very good overall! Please check the images!
________________________________________________
THE SCENE
Poem 55 of the anthology is by Fujiwara no Kintō (966–1041), the Dainagon Kintō, one of the most respected poets and critics of the Heian court:
Taki no oto wa / taete hisashiku / narinuredo / na koso nagarete / nao kikoekere
The sound of the waterfall stopped long ago, yet its name still flows on and is heard to this day.
Kuniyoshi pairs it with Yukihime, the heroine of Gion sairei shinkōki (祇園祭礼信仰記). The play was first staged for the puppet theatre in 1757 and later became a kabuki play. Its “Kinkakuji” act, set at the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, is still one of the most performed scenes in kabuki. Yukihime is the granddaughter of the great ink painter Sesshū. The rebel Matsunaga Daizen holds her captive and demands that she paint a dragon on the temple ceiling. Bound to a cherry tree, she draws a mouse with her toes in fallen cherry petals. The mouse comes to life and gnaws through her ropes. Yukihime counts among the sanhime, the three great princess roles of kabuki.
The text on the sheet refers to the treasured sword Kurikaramaru and to a waterfall striking the rocks. In the play, the sword is held against a waterfall to reveal the image of a dragon, and this exposes Daizen as the man who killed Yukihime’s father. The text also remarks how strange it is that a traitor as lawless as Matsunaga should have such a refined taste for painting.
The poem’s waterfall points directly to the waterfall of the Kinkakuji act. The second half of the poem, a name that lives on long after the sound has gone, can be read as the fame of Sesshū, carried on through his granddaughter.
________________________________________________
About the Series:
The Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu is one of the few series in which the three leading masters of the 1840s worked side by side: Kuniyoshi designed 51 sheets, Hiroshige 35 and Kunisada 14. Instead of portraying the classical poets themselves, each print pairs one of the hundred poems with a scene from history, legend or kabuki, and the viewer is invited to work out the connection, almost like a riddle. A short narrative text on each sheet tells the story behind the picture. Kuniyoshi's contributions are known for their strong figure compositions and storytelling, and each sheet joins a classical poem to a dramatic tale.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Edo Period (1600-1868)
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
KUNIYOSHI - 100 Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets - c. 1845–48 - Japanese Woodblock
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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