Poem by Emperor Tenchi, from the series One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse

The narrative centers on the emperor’s unexpected stay in a farmer’s shelter, evoking his empathy for peasants who endure harsh weather and precarious dwellings. The poem’s imagery—wet sleeves, heavy dew, and the rough mats of harvest guards—underscores the shared vulnerability of ruler and subjects during the season’s labor.

Executed in the ukiyo-e woodblock tradition, the work employs delicate line work and muted pigments to render the autumn foliage and thatched roof. Hokusai’s characteristic balance of foreground activity and distant hills creates depth, while the subtle gradations of ink suggest the looming storm.

Part of Hokusai’s series inspired by the Hyakunin Isshu anthology, the print was produced in the early 19th century for a popular audience familiar with classical poetry. It circulated as a single sheet within the larger collection, which paired visual interpretations with the corresponding verses.

The Hyakunin Isshu, a medieval compilation of one hundred poems by one hundred poets, was a common source for Edo‑period artists seeking literary themes. By illustrating Emperor Tenchi’s poem, Hokusa i linked contemporary visual culture with a revered imperial text, reflecting the era’s interest in historic nostalgia.