Poem by Mibu no Tadami: - From the series "Ogura Nazorae Hyakunin Isshu" - ca 1845-48 - Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)

Good condition.

Description：
From the series "Ogura Nazorae Hyakunin Issu" ("Ogura Imitation of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets"), No.41. A poem by Mibu no Tadami : "It is true I love, but the rumor of my love had gone far and wide, when people should not have known that I had begun to love." In the lower cartouche Hasebe Nobutsura retrieved the famous flute, "Semiore", and escapes from the army of Heike.

Comparison of the Ogura One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each - Handsome design from a terrific series pairing a verse from the best-loved collection of Japanese poetry, "The One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each," with figures from Japanese history or theater. Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, and Kunisada each designed prints for the series. Divided into two parts, the first group of prints features a poem next to the series title, while the second half includes a fan-shaped inset with a portrait of the featured poet. A wonderful and unusual series with great designs by the top artists of the mid-19th century. These prints would make great additions to any ukiyo-e collection.

Mibu no Tadami, Poet No. 41 - Intriguing image of the thirteenth-century samurai Hasebe Nobutsura, who helped Prince Mochihito to escape an attack on his palace disguised as a woman. Nobutsura clenches a flute between his teeth as he twists up the hem of his kimono to keep it out of the way during the fighting to come. The enemy can be seen approaching at left, their red lanterns bobbing in the night sky. The loyal and fierce Nobutsura fought bravely against the Taira, and although he was captured and tortured, refused to disclose the whereabouts of the prince. The poem by the Heian era poet Mibu no Tadami reads:

It is true I love,
But the rumor of my love
Had gone far and wide,
When people should not have known
That I had begun to love.

See MFA, Boston: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/476969

Author:
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川 国芳, 1 January 1798 – 14 April 1861) was one of the last great masters of the Japanese ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints and painting. He was a member of the Utagawa school.
The range of Kuniyoshi's subjects included many genres: landscapes, women, Kabuki actors, cats, and mythical animals. He is known for depictions of the battles of legendary samurai heroes. His artwork incorporated aspects of Western representation in landscape painting and caricature.