奥山の 花のしら雪 流れきて はるの末くむ 川面のさと Okuyama no hana no shirayuki nagare ki te haru no sue kumu kawazura no sato. Deep in the mountains flowers like white snow stream down... the last of spring borne away on the face of the village river. 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. This elegant tanzaku (poetry strip) features a waka poem by Otogaki Rengetsu (1791–1875), a revered Buddhist nun, poet, and calligrapher of the late Edo period. Rengetsu’s works are celebrated for their spiritual depth, refined brushwork, and poignant reflections on nature and impermanence. The poem reads: Okuyama no hana no shirayuki nagare ki te haru no sue kumu kawazura no satoDeep in the mountains, flowers like white snow stream down... the last of spring borne away on the face of the village river. This verse evokes the transience of beauty and the quiet passage of time, as spring fades and nature flows gently into summer. The imagery of snow-like blossoms drifting from the mountains into the village stream reflects Rengetsu’s signature blend of natural observation and Buddhist sensibility. The calligraphy is rendered on decorative paper flecked with gold, enhancing its visual and poetic elegance. Ideal for collectors of Japanese poetry, Buddhist art, or Edo-period calligraphy, this piece offers both literary resonance and aesthetic refinement. with signature 'Rengetsu' 蓮月 大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Japanese antique Tanzaku rectangle paper / Waka Poem 奥山の 花のしら雪~ Dimensions: 2.3" W x 14.2" H / 6cm x 36.3cm 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.