The Poet Sugawara no Michizane Riding an Ox

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 18th-century ukiyo-e, Torii Kiyomitsu I (1715–1785), a master of the Torii school captures a legendary moment in *The Poet Sugawara no Michizane Riding an Ox (c. 1764). This narrow hosoban-format woodblock print, measuring just 31.2 × 14.3 cm, depicts the Heian-era scholar and poet Sugawara no Michizane (845–903), who was unjustly exiled from Kyoto. Folklore tells of his solemn procession southward on a white ox, a poignant symbol of his dignity amid political intrigue. Later deified as Tenjin, the god of learning and poetry, Michizane became a beloved cultural icon, inspiring countless artistic tributes. Kiyomitsu's print exemplifies the mizu-e technique, an early color woodblock method using water-based pigments like vibrant reds from safflower (beni), applied before the more elaborate full-color nishiki-e era. The intimate hosoban size suggests it was designed for personal collections or albums, blending historical reverence with ukiyo-e's playful flair. Rendered with Kiyomitsu's signature bold lines and expressive figures—often seen in his yakusha-e actor portraits—this work bridges classical legend and popular print culture, offering museum visitors a window into Edo-period Japan's fusion of myth, poetry, and innovation.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyomitsu I · 1735–1785

Japanese, 1735–1785