.jpg?w=1)
Property from the Collection of Max Palevsky
Suzuki Harunobu (1725?-1770)
Omu (Parrot), from the series Furyu nana Komachi (Fashionable Seven Komachi), ca. 1767
Details
Suzuki Harunobu (1725?-1770)
Omu (Parrot), from the series Furyu nana Komachi (Fashionable Seven Komachi), ca. 1767
Woodcut mitate-e (allusive picture) of a courtesan entrusting a love letter to her child attendant (kamuro), who is parting her obi to hide it there, the standing screen behind them illustrated on a yellow ground with a peony and parrot to reference the title theme, signed Harunobu ga--very good impression, slightly faded though there is prevalent blue and purple pigment, light foxing and light horizontal creases
Hashira-e (pillar print): 27 15/16 x 5 1/8in. (70.7 x 13.1cm.), floated in box frame of wood glazed with UF 3 acrylic window
The picture alludes to the exchange between the ninth-century poet Ono no Komachi and Retired Emperor Yozei (868-949), who asks her if she misses the court (kumo, "clouds" in both their poems) from which she has withdrawn. She alters only one syllable of his poem to frame her famous riposte, dubbed Omu (Parrot) for its brilliant echo of his original poem. Komachi's verse appears in the square cartouche to the left of the title cartouche of this print:
Kumo no ue wa
arashi mukashi ni
kawaredomo
mishi tamadare no
uchi zo yukashiki
Beyond the clouds
everything is unchanged
now as in old times,
but I recall all I saw
behind the jewelled curtain.
Omu (Parrot), from the series Furyu nana Komachi (Fashionable Seven Komachi), ca. 1767
Woodcut mitate-e (allusive picture) of a courtesan entrusting a love letter to her child attendant (kamuro), who is parting her obi to hide it there, the standing screen behind them illustrated on a yellow ground with a peony and parrot to reference the title theme, signed Harunobu ga--very good impression, slightly faded though there is prevalent blue and purple pigment, light foxing and light horizontal creases
Hashira-e (pillar print): 27 15/16 x 5 1/8in. (70.7 x 13.1cm.), floated in box frame of wood glazed with UF 3 acrylic window
The picture alludes to the exchange between the ninth-century poet Ono no Komachi and Retired Emperor Yozei (868-949), who asks her if she misses the court (kumo, "clouds" in both their poems) from which she has withdrawn. She alters only one syllable of his poem to frame her famous riposte, dubbed Omu (Parrot) for its brilliant echo of his original poem. Komachi's verse appears in the square cartouche to the left of the title cartouche of this print:
Kumo no ue wa
arashi mukashi ni
kawaredomo
mishi tamadare no
uchi zo yukashiki
Beyond the clouds
everything is unchanged
now as in old times,
but I recall all I saw
behind the jewelled curtain.
Literature
Sotheby's, London, Japanese Prints, Paintings, Screens and Works of Art, 16 November 1995, lot 9.
If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.