The fifth panel of a six panel composition, Furyu Mitate Rokkasen

IMG_4470.JPG

Title

The fifth panel of a six panel composition, Furyu Mitate Rokkasen

Creator

Utagawa Kunisada
Japanese, 1786 - 1864

Date

1858

Format

woodblock print
22.8 x 35.2 centimeters

Type

print

Description

A six-panel composition, each of which depicts an actor and a flower. The name rokkasen (containing the Chinese character for 'Flower') points to the "Six Best waka Poets" of the 9th century (= 'rokkasen'; the word contains the Chinese character for 'Song/Poem'). They are regarded as the geniuses of Japanese poetry and often were popular subject of mitate (= comparison, parody). The characters used here, however, allow another reading: a selection of six flowers.

Publisher

Jokin (1830 - 1858)

Citation

Utagawa Kunisada Japanese, 1786 - 1864, “The fifth panel of a six panel composition, Furyu Mitate Rokkasen,” Ewing Gallery Permanent Collection, accessed March 29, 2024, https://ewinggallery.omeka.net/items/show/250.