百人一首　うばがゑとき　伊勢|Poem by Ise, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki)

Art Historical Context

Katsushika Hokus, the legendary Japanese artist best known for his iconic *Great Wave off Kanagawa created this vibrant woodblock print around 1835 during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868). Titled *Poem by Ise, from the series One Hundred Explained by the Nurse (akunin isshu uba ga etoki)*, it belongs to a popular ukiyo-e series that interprets the classic anthology *Hyakunin Isshu*. This collection of 100 waka poems by renowned poets from across Japanese history was a cultural staple, often recited in games and gatherings. In this print, Hokusai illustrates a poem by the 10th-century court lady Ise, with an elderly nurse (uba) narrating its meaning to listeners amid everyday scenes featuring roofs, men, and women. The intimate composition captures the blend of poetry and daily life, a hallmark of ukiyo-e's focus on the "floating world" of fleeting pleasures. Hokusai's masterful use of ink and color on paper—achieved through collaborative woodblock carving and printing—brings dynamic patterns and subtle gradients to life, making high art accessible to the masses. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department, this work exemplifies Hokusai's versatility beyond landscapes, highlighting poetry's enduring role in Japanese culture and the innovative storytelling of Edo-period prints.

About the Artist

Katsushika Hokusai · 1760–1849

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) stands as one of history's most influential artists, a Japanese master who revolutionized the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and profoundly shaped Western art. Born in the Katsushika district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai lived through nearly nine decades of extraordinary creative evolution, adopting over thirty different artistic names t...