The Hundred Poets Compared: A Print Series by Kuniyoshi, Hiroshige, and Kunisada

by Henk Herwig, H., Mostow

The Hundred Poets Compared is about a 100-print series made by three famous Ukiyo-e artists of the 19th Kuniyoshi, Hiroshige, and Kunisada. Each print compares one of the poems from the most-beloved collection of Japanese poetry, The One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each (Hyakunin Isshu), with a scene from Japanese history or theatre. Begun during the repressive Tenpô Reforms, the series includes many surreptitious portraits of popular actors. Herwig and Mostow explain each episode depicted and its connection to its particular poem, providing a translation of the commentary text on each print and the identification of actors and performances. This work will be welcome to Ukiyo-e collectors and scholars, as well as those interested in Kabuki and Japanese legends.

256 pages, Leather Bound

First published May 30, 2007

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had hoped there would be more on the original poets and the poems' intended meanings/backstory. If that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere.