left of a pair of hanging scrolls; two long and one short lines of text; line of small characters, LLQ, with two seals in red

Spring and Autumn Quatrains [pt. 2, left], first half 18th century

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Hattori’s poem describes the seasonal festivities of spring and autumn, and makes a number of references to Chinese court culture to create an air of sumptuousness. The references include the “Five-Horse Prefect”—a high ranking official allowed to retain a fleet of horses; Mount Li, where the first Chinese emperor was entombed; and the “pearl studded slippers” worn by the prostitutes of an infamously extravagant lord.

The Five-Horse Prefect rides the spring wind, flowers seem to fly,
Mount Li in the Second Month, vying in perfumed fragrance!
If he should spend the next ten days getting really drunk,
No need to ask for friendship from men of cotton clothes!
A noble feast among autumn colors, rain densely falling;
Amber cups so frozen we simply can’t get drunk.
In days of old, we’ve heard of Orchid Terrace ladies, lovely as jade,
And now we turn to view pearl slippers, guests numerous as clouds!

Details
Title
Spring and Autumn Quatrains [pt. 2, left]
Artist Life
1683 - 1759
Role
Calligrapher
Accession Number
2013.63.28.1
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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left of a pair of hanging scrolls; two long and one short lines of text; line of small characters, LLQ, with two seals in red