Kisen Hōshi, 1830s

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For this autumnal scene Hiroshige was inspired by a poem by Kisen Ho_shi, a 9th century Buddhist priest who lived in the mountains near Uji, southeast of Kyoto. Hiroshige included the poem in the upper portion of the print: 

        Lowly hut is mine
            southeast of the capital--
        Thus I choose to dwell;
            And the world in which I live
            men have named a "Mount of Gloom."

The melancholy tone of the poem is echoed by Hiroshige's portrait of the poet shown here in a windswept landscape with maple leaves swirling about him. His attention appears to be taken with the sorrowful cry of a deer, shown here in the distance.

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Details
Title
Kisen Hōshi
Artist Life
1797 - 1858
Role
Artist
Accession Number
81.133.143
Catalogue Raisonne
Ukiyo-e shūka 14 (1981), Hiroshige list, p. 240, chūtanzaku #9.1
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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