Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Poem by Kanke (Sugawara Michizane)

The Property of a Gentlemen
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
Poem by Kanke (Sugawara Michizane)
Edo period, 19th century

woodblock print, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki), signed Saki no Hokusai Manji (Manji, the former Hokusai), censor's seal kiwame (approved), published by Iseya Sanjiro (Eijudo), circa 1835-36

Horizontal oban: 35.2 x 23.8cm

Provenance:
Huguette Berès (1914- 1999)

The poem by Suguwara no Michizane (802-853) has been translated by Peter MacMillan in One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse, (London, 2016), p. 30:

On this journey
I have no streamers to offer up.
Instead, dear gods, if it pleases you,
may you take this maple brocade
of Mount Tamuke's colours.

Kono tabi wa
nusa mo toriaezu
Tamukeyama
momiji no nishiki
kami no manimani

Condition Report:
Good impression, generally good colour, toned, each edge of the print affixed to the backing board (it has not been possible to examine the reverse of the print), trimming to top edge into the first character of the title cartouche, soiling and rubbing, a few small holes patched from verso, a few small nicks to edges, the collector's seal to verso showing through to the front of the print.