Poem by Chunagon Yakamochi - Katsushika Hokusai

A woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai from his series interpreting the classic Hyakunin isshu poetry anthology, featuring a boat on calm waters.

This woodblock print belongs to the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse, a project in which Katsushika Hokusai interpreted the classic Hyakunin isshu poetry anthology. The series was intended to make these historical verses accessible to a wider audience, including children and commoners, by providing visual narratives that accompanied the original text.

In this composition, Hokusai depicts a scene associated with the poem by Chunagon Yakamochi. The visual focus is a large, ornate boat navigating calm waters, rendered with the precise line work characteristic of the artist's later period. The vessel features a distinct, curved hull and a cabin structure, contrasting with the jagged, textured rock formations that rise from the water in the background. These rocks, coloured in deep earthy tones, provide a sense of scale against the expansive, pale sky.

The colour palette relies on a balance of muted blues, deep ochres, and subtle pinks in the horizon line. Hokusai employs a flattened perspective, typical of the Ukiyo-e tradition, which allows the viewer to observe the interplay between the human-made vessel and the natural environment. The inclusion of the poem in the upper right corner serves as a formal element of the design, integrating calligraphy into the pictorial space. This print demonstrates Hokusai's ability to combine literary themes with his interest in maritime subjects and coastal geography, creating a balanced image that remains grounded in the aesthetic conventions of the Edo period.