百人一首　藤原元真|Poem by Fujiwara no Motozane (ca. 860) from the Series Thirty-Six Poets

Art Historical Context

Suzuki Harunobu *Poem by Fujiwara no Motozane (ca 860) from the Thirty-Six Poets*ca. 1768) is a captivating woodblock print from Japan's Edo period (16151868). As a of full-color nishiki-e prints, Harunobu revolutionized ukiyo-e art around 1765, introducing vibrant hues and intricate details to popular imagery. This piece, measuring 10 7/8 x 8 1/8 inches, draws from the revered *Hyakunin Isshu* anthology, compiling one poem each from one hundred classical poets. Here, it spotlights Fujiwara no Motozane, a Heian-era noble whose verse evokes fleeting beauty, illustrated with graceful women, boys, and birds in a serene, poetic scene. The medium—ink and color on paper with karazuri embossing—adds tactile elegance, as the blind-printing technique creates subtle raised textures without pigment, enhancing the print's luxurious feel. Harunobu's delicate lines and soft palettes capture the floating world (*ukiyo*) ethos, blending literati tradition with everyday charm. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, this print reflects Edo Japan's cultural fusion of classical poetry and mass-produced art, making elite waka accessible to urban audiences. A testament to Harunobu's enduring legacy, it invites visitors to ponder timeless themes of love and transience amid vibrant imagery.

About the Artist

Suzuki Harunobu · 1725–1770

Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1725-1770) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who revolutionized woodblock printing by developing nishiki-e—full-color prints using multiple woodblocks—in 1765. Before Harunobu, Japanese prints were limited to two or three colors; his innovation unleashed the entire artist's palette, transforming ukiyo-e into the vibrant art form that would later captivate Western artists from Manet...