風流歌仙絵本和歌浦|A Fashionable Representation of the Immortals of Poetry: Picture Book of Waka-no-ura (Fūryū kasen ehon waka no ura) 風流歌仙絵本和歌浦

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with *Fūryū kasen ehon waka no ura* (A Fashionable Representation of the Immort of Poetry: Picture Book Waka-no-ura), a captivating set of two woodblock books created in 1734 by artist Takagi Sadatake publisher Kichimonji Ichibei. Measuring a compact 10⅝ × 7⅝ inches each, these ink-on-paper volumes exemplify the *ehon*—picture books that fused exquisite illustrations with poetic text, making high art accessible to a broad audience during the prosperous Kyōho era. The work playfully reimagines Japan's legendary "song immortals" (*kasen*), the revered classical poets, in a stylish (*fūryū*) guise amid the scenic shores of Waka-no-ura, a celebrated Wakayama bay linked to waka poetry traditions. Featuring both men and women poets in elegant, contemporary attire, it blends reverence for literary giants like those in the Thirty-Six Immortals canon with the era's ukiyo-e flair—lively scenes of nature, fashion, and human connection. As a prime example of early 18th-century woodblock printing, this Metropolitan Museum of Art treasure highlights the technical mastery of *surimono*-like color and line work (though here in ink), reflecting Edo Japan's booming print culture. It invites visitors to appreciate how poetry and visuals intertwined to celebrate cultural heritage with wit and whimsy.

About the Artist

Kichimonjiya Ichibei 吉文字屋市兵衛|Takagi Sadatake 高木貞武 ( |Japanese) · |1700 – |1733

|Japanese, active early 18th century