Artwork

Poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki from the series One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse

Poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki from the series One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse is a print by the Romanticist artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Instead of loneliness, we get a clumsy traveler in a blizzard, as if the nurse mixed up the words.

A lone figure trudges up a snowy mountain path, a straw hat hiding their face. Bare trees claw at the sky, and a tiny village clings to the slope below.

Hokusai didn’t just illustrate the poem—he played with it. The print shows a nurse’s silly take, missing the poem’s quiet sadness. Instead of loneliness, we get a clumsy traveler in a blizzard, as if the nurse mixed up the words.

To see how real poetry prints looked, search *japan, edo period (1615–1868)*.

Overview

This woodblock print, designed by Katsushika Hokusai, is part of the series 'One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse'. It humorously juxtaposes a classical poem with a misinterpretive illustration, highlighting the comedic mismatch between the two.

Subject & Meaning

The featured poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki expresses the intensification of loneliness in a mountain village during winter, symbolized by withered grasses and infrequent visits. In contrast, Hokusai's illustration depicts a lively, albeit inaccurate, scene of activity, substituting the poem's melancholy with a bustling narrative.

Technique & Style

Hokusai's design employs a deliberate disconnect between the somber, contemplative tone of the poem and the vibrant, dynamic illustration. The visual elements, such as a lone traveler in a snowstorm and a distant village, further emphasize this contrast, showcasing Hokusai's playful manipulation of the poem's themes.

History & Provenance

Part of a larger series, this print reflects Hokusai's work during the Edo period (1615-1868). The series' unique approach to illustrating classical poetry highlights Hokusai's innovative style within the historical context of Japanese woodblock printing.

Context

To appreciate the series' novelty, compare it with traditional Edo-period poetry prints (search *japan, edo period*), which typically featured more literal and respectful illustrations of the poems.

Legacy

This print exemplifies Hokusai's ability to reimagine traditional subjects with humor and creativity, contributing to his lasting influence on Japanese art and beyond.