錦摺女三十六歌仙|Nishikizuri onna sanjūrokkasen|Brocade Prints of the Thirty-six Immortal Women Poets (Nishiki-zuri onna sanjūrokkasen)

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with *Brocade Prints of Thirty-six Immortal Women Poets (Nishiki-zuri onna sanjūrokkasen), a stunning illustrated book created in 1801. This collaborative masterpiece features designs by the elegant bijin-ga master Chōbunsai (Hosoda) Eishi and by the legendary Katsushika Hokus, blending their talents in ukiyo-e woodblock. Measuring a compact 9⅞ × 7⅜ inches, the book showcases ink and color on paper, capturing the grace and allure of Japan's revered female poets from centuries past. The "Thirty-six Immortal Women Poets" draws from a celebrated literary canon, paralleling the famous male poets (Sanjūrokkasen) and honoring women like Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu. Produced during the Edo period (1615–1868), it reflects a cultural fascination with poetry, beauty, and the floating world (ukiyo), where art elevated everyday elegance. Nishiki-e, or "brocade prints," refers to the lavish full-color technique using multiple woodblocks for intricate layering of pigments, mimicking luxurious textiles. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection (Rogers Fund, 1918), this book not only preserves poetic heritage but also highlights women's voices in a male-dominated literary tradition. Its delicate figures and poetic inscriptions invite visitors to ponder the timeless interplay of words and images in Japanese culture.

About the Artist

Chōbunsai (Hosoda) Eishi , 鳥文斎(細田)栄之|Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎 (Japanese|Japanese) · 1756 |1760 –1829 |1849

Japanese, 1756–1829|Japanese, Tokyo (Edo) 1760–1849 Tokyo (Edo)