Artwork

礫川亭永理 (鳥橋斎栄里)画壬生忠岑の見立絵|Courtier and Two Ladies of the Court, with a Poem by Mibu no Tadamine

礫川亭永理 (鳥橋斎栄里)画壬生忠岑の見立絵|Courtier and Two Ladies of the Court, with a Poem by Mibu no Tadamine is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Rekisentei Eiri. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1791, this woodblock print by Rekisentei Eiri—known by the studio name Rekisentei—depicts a courtly scene titled “Courtier and Two Ladies of the Court, with a Poem by Mibu no Tadamine.” The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies late‑eighteenth‑century Japanese printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a male courtier in a dark hat observing two women seated on the floor. One woman holds a brush and paper, while the other rests a hand on her companion’s shoulder, suggesting a collaborative act of copying a poem attributed to the Heian poet Mibu no Tadamine. The presence of a teapot and tray reinforces the setting as a refined literary gathering.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the print employs the ukiyo‑e woodblock process. Soft pinks, greens, and golds define the garments, while delicate patterns are rendered through fine line work. Subtle cross‑hatching creates shadow and depth, particularly in the folds of the robes and the figures’ faces.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the Edo period, a time when illustrated poetry scenes were popular among literate audiences. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, though earlier ownership records remain limited.

Context

Mibu no Tadamine, a poet of the early Heian court, is celebrated for his contributions to the Kokinshū anthology. By the late 1700s, his verses were frequently invoked in visual culture to evoke aristocratic elegance, aligning with the print’s depiction of cultured courtly activity.