Artwork

詩人と富士山『春雨集』摺物帖|A Poet and Mount FujiFrom the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 3

詩人と富士山『春雨集』摺物帖|A Poet and Mount FujiFrom the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 3 is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Yashima Gakutei. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print is part of the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), a handmade album of surimono created by Yashima Gakutei, a Japanese artist active in the early 19th century.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a poet seated cross-legged, lost in thought beneath Mount Fuji, conveying a sense of quiet dignity through his attire and demeanor.

Technique & Style

Gakutei employed bold colors and simple shapes to emphasize the poet's contemplative pose, using ink and color on paper to achieve a refined effect characteristic of surimono prints.

Context

Surimono were typically created for special occasions or as gifts for friends, often featuring kyōka poetry, a genre to which Gakutei made significant contributions.

Artist & collection

Artist

Yashima Gakutei

Yashima Gakutei (Japanese: 八島岳亭; c. 1786 – 1868) was a Japanese artist and poet who was a pupil of both Totoya Hokkei and Hokusai. Gakutei is best known for his kyōka poetry and surimono works.