立そめて 外山になびく 薄ぎりや まだ入たたぬ 秋しののさと Tachi some te toyama ni nabiku usugiri ya mada iri tata nu Akishino no sato. Beginning to form floating about the foothills the thin mist has not yet entered Akishino Village. 大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) A female poet from the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period. Born in Kyoto. She was adopted by 大田垣光古 Otagaki Teruhisa, samurai who served at Chion-in Temple, when she was only 10 days old. She later married 望古 Mochihisa, the adopted son of Teruhisa. She and Mochihisa had three children, all of whom died at an early age. She also lost her husband, Mochihisa soon. At the age of 33, she lost her second husband, 古肥 Hisatoshi. She and Hisatoshi had one daughter, but the daughter and Mochiko died in 1823. She shaved her head and took the name "Rengetsuni / Nun Rengetsu". After that, Rengetsu moved from place to place and was known as "Moving house Rengetsu" because of her love of moving. After her children died, she lost her father at the age of 42 and lived a life of poverty and solitude. After her father's death, she made her own pottery with waka poems carved with nails, which was called "Rengetsu-yaki". Rengetsu-yaki was so popular as a souvenir of Kyoto, but the sales were given to the poor. She loved 富岡鉄斎 Tomioka Tessai (1837-1924) as if he were her own child. She died at the age of 85, 1875 at 神光院 Jinkoin. She excelled in waka poetry, and was also skilled in calligraphy, painting, naginata, and Go. In waka poetry, she wrote many feminine and delicate epic poems, and was good at writing plain epic poems. Rengetsu was also known for his good looks. It is said that some men approached her because of her beauty which never waned even as she grew older. There is an anecdote that she deliberately pulled out her teeth to ruin her beauty and protected herself from temptation. with signature 'Rengetsu' 蓮月 This elegant tanzaku features an original poem by the renowned Japanese nun-poet and calligrapher Otagaki Rengetsu (1791–1875), whose works are celebrated for their spiritual depth and lyrical evocation of nature. Written in her distinctive flowing hand, the poem describes the quiet emergence of autumn mist over the foothills, untouched by human presence, in the ancient landscape of Akishino Village. The waka reads: “Tachi some te toyama ni nabiku usugiri ya mada iri tata nu Akishino no sato” which translates as: “Beginning to form, floating about the foothills—the thin mist has not yet entered Akishino Village.” Rengetsu’s poetry often reflects themes of impermanence, solitude, and reverence for the natural world, and this piece is a fine example of her ability to capture subtle seasonal transitions with profound simplicity. The tanzaku format, traditionally used for poetry and calligraphy, enhances the intimacy of the work, inviting the viewer into a moment of quiet contemplation. This calligraphy, with its refined brushwork and poetic resonance, represents both the literary and artistic legacy of one of Japan’s most beloved female poets. It is a valuable addition for collectors of Japanese art, Buddhist aesthetics, or classical literature. 大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Japanese antique Tanzaku rectangle paper / Waka Poem 立そめて 外山になびく~ Dimensions: 2.3" W x 14.3" H / 6cm x 36.5cm Material: Paper Technique: Handpainted Weight: 10g Condition Antique items have originally crease, stain, damage, and more. I would like you to refer to the listing photos, but please understand that it's difficult to show all conditions by the photos. Special notes: STAIN. Shipping 'FREE SHIPPING' all over the world by Registered Airmail, EMS, or DHL.