Title : Poet Benno Naishi

Artist : Takeuchi Keishu

Date : 1896

Details : More information...

Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
Browse all 5471 prints...

Description : This print was conserved with the support of the Robert F. Lange Foundation. During the Meiji period, a new genre of woodblock prints emerged that consisted of single-sheet illustrations (for popular novels). Since they resembled a mouth when unfolded from inside the book, they were called kuchi-e or "mouth pictures." Kuchi-e mostly accompanied romantic stories, and consequently they reveal a softer, more lyrical style than their ukiyo-e predecessors from the end of the Edo period. Although Takeuchi Keishü was not a professional kuchi-e artist, he became well known for his kuchi-e produced to illustrate the novels of Ozaki Köyö (1867-1903). In this print Keishü portrays the court lady and poetess Ben no Nashi, who served as one of the highest-ranking officials of the Office of Female Courtiers at the court of retired Emperor Gofukakusa (1243-1304). She was responsible for conveying and safeguarding the three imperial regalia (the mirror, the sword, and the jewel) during enthronement and abdication ceremonies. Here she is portrayed under a cherry tree, admiring its blossoms. Although it is not directly indicated, the print seems to refer to one of her poems composed in 1259, when Gofukakusa abdicated and her time at the court was coming to an end: My heart has been dyed by the flowers of every spring. Oh! Cherry blossoms dwelling in the clouds do not forget me. The blossoms in the clouds symbolize the imperial court and thus represent the abdicating Emperor.

Download Image