The Poet Ariwara no Narihira (825–880) and Ono no Komachi
Original title: “The Poet Ariwara no Narihira (825–880) and Ono no Komachi,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)
kurzbeschreibung
A colour woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro from around 1798, printed with ink and colour on paper. Two figures in traditional robes are generally identified as the poets Ariwara no Narihira and Ono no Komachi. The layout reads as symmetrical and is accompanied by floral elements.
Description
Two figures in Japanese robes patterned with blossoms fill most of the sheet. The figure on the left holds an arrow or bow that rests at the bottom in a container or bowl; the one on the right sits holding a bunch of flowers. Warm tones — pink, yellow and brown — dominate the palette, and the light is even, without harsh shadows. The arrangement is balanced and symmetrical, with the figures at its heart; a text panel with Chinese characters sits at the upper right.
Context
The print dates from the late Edo period, a phase in which Utamaro was prized for his images of women and poetic subjects. The series 'Goshiki-zome rokkasen' refers to the six great poets (Rokkasen) and links love poetry with colour harmonies. Behind Narihira and Ono no Komachi stand historical figures whose lives and works were often taken up in Japanese literature.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and warm tones give the image a calm, balanced feel. Arrow and flowers together lend the scene a symbolic undertone that alludes to the themes of love running through the series.
Technique
Clear contours and flat areas of colour define the print, as is usual for the Japanese colour woodblock (nishiki-e). The pigments sit on paper and were applied using several printing blocks.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)