Thirty-Six Poets

Maker(s)
Artist: Sakai Hōitsu 酒井抱一 (1761-1828)
Frame maker: Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, early 19th century
Medium
Ink, color, and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 150.3 × 162.4 cm (59 3/16 × 63 15/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1970.22
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Screen (two-panel)

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, poet
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

In the early eleventh century the poet Fujiwara no Kinto (966-1041) selected and anthologized the works of thirty-six notable poets--thirty-one men and five women--who were active in Japan from the seventh through the early eleventh century. The poetry produced by this grouping came to represent the pinnacle of Japanese aesthetic sensibility. From the thirteenth century, paintings featuring idealized images of the poets, together with texts of their representative poems, began to appear.

Hoitsu's presentation of the august assemblage is full of comic reference, reflecting an Edo-period (1615-1868) penchant for parodying staid classical subjects. Hoitsu portrays only thirty-five playfully caricatured faces and postures. The missing poet, Saigu no Nyogo, is not seen in probable deference to her imperial status; her presence behind the white curtain is presumed.

Hoitsu modeled this painting on a similar work by Ogata Korin (1658-1716). The frame surrounding the screen is signed by Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845), a lacquer artist who frequently collaborated with Hoitsu.

Published References
  • Keiko Kawamoto. Nihon byobue shusei. 18 vols., Tokyo, 1977-1982. vol. 5: pl. 68.
  • untitled article. no. 186 Tokyo. fig. 59.
  • Dr. John Alexander Pope, Thomas Lawton, Harold P. Stern. The Freer Gallery of Art. 2 vols., Washington and Tokyo, 1971-1972. cat. 87, vol. 2: p. 178.
  • Ryu Murakami. Metal Works. no. 463 Tokyo. p. 39, fig. 54.
  • Alan Pipes. Foundations of Art + Design., 1st ed. London. p. 238.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.