Artwork
Poem
Poem is a work on paper by the Romanticist artist Nukina Sūō. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created around 1804, this calligraphic work by Nukina Kaioku is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1804, this calligraphic work by Nukina Kaioku is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Executed on a light‑brown paper scroll, the piece consists of a poem rendered in black ink. The composition is organized into two vertical columns, with a modest red seal positioned near the upper right corner.
Technique & Style
The brushwork displays a confident hand, alternating between thick and thin strokes to convey rhythm and emphasis. Such variation demonstrates the artist’s control of brush pressure and ink flow, hallmarks of Japanese calligraphic practice. The fluidity of the lines suggests a practiced familiarity with the medium, while the modest red stamp provides a subtle counterpoint to the monochrome text.
Subject & Meaning
The scroll contains a poem, though its specific content remains inaccessible without knowledge of the language. The arrangement of characters in parallel columns follows traditional Japanese poetic presentation, allowing the viewer to appreciate the visual balance even when the textual meaning is not immediately clear.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Nukina Kaioku, an early‑19th‑century Japanese calligrapher, the work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (details of the purchase are not publicly recorded). Its preservation on paper and the presence of the red seal help date the piece to the early Edo‑period transition era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nukina Kaioku (貫名 海屋; 1778–1863) was a Japanese painter and calligrapher. He had many pseudonyms, but Kaioku (海屋) and Sūō (菘翁) are the most well-known. He was considered a leader in the field of Japanese calligraphy…
