Artwork

百人一首 宇波か縁説 参儀等|Poem by Sangi Hitoshi (Minamoto no Hitoshi), from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki)

百人一首 宇波か縁説 参儀等|Poem by Sangi Hitoshi (Minamoto no Hitoshi), from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki), by Katsushika Hokusai, ink, 1804
百人一首 宇波か縁説 参儀等|Poem by Sangi Hitoshi (Minamoto no Hitoshi), from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki), by Katsushika Hokusai, ink, 1804

百人一首 宇波か縁説 参儀等|Poem by Sangi Hitoshi (Minamoto no Hitoshi), from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki) is an ink print by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print is part of the series 'One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse' by Katsushika Hokusai, created in 1804. It is a landscape scene rendered in ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a lively riverside scene with figures in traditional robes, some carrying baskets or riding an animal, alongside a simple hut and layered blue waves. The accompanying text on the right suggests a connection to a poem, likely referencing the work of Sangi Hitoshi.

Technique & Style

Hokusai employed bold colors to convey movement in the water and the clothing of the figures, creating a dynamic scene. The use of layered blues for the river and soft pinks and greens for the distant hills adds depth to the composition.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Katsushika Hokusai

Artist

Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.