Thirty-Six Immortal Poets
Thirty-Six Immortal Poets, attributed to Tatebayashi Kagei (Japanese) mid 1700s
1960.183
Not on display
The "Thirty-Six Immortal Poets" were chosen by Fujiwara no Kinto (996-1075), a Japanese nobleman, scholar, and poet of the Heian period. He compiled a collection of the works of the 36 celebrated writers of waka (31-syllable poems) during the 7th to 11th centuries. From about the 11th century on, poetry and painting contests provided entertainment at fashionable gatherings, and the "thirty-six poets" became a favorite subject in Japanese art. These poets were traditionally portrayed in a dignified manner befitting their aristocratic rank, but in this interpretation they are unceremoniously packed together in a confining space. This engaging screen painting is done in the Rimpa style, emphasizing bold color, simple silhouettes, and asymmetrical compositions.
Traditionally, individuality was not a quality emphasized in Japan-even in these "portraits" it is virtually impossible to distinguish who's who among the faces of the poets.
Images Copyright © the artist, their estate, and/or the Cleveland Museum of Art.
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