Beschreibung:

DescriptionKatsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)Poem by Kakinomoto no HitomaroEdo period, 19th century
woodblock print, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki), signed Saki no Hokusai Manji (Manji, the former Hokusai), censor’s seal kiwame (approved), published by Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudo), circa 1835-36
Horizontal oban: 25.1 x 37.3 cm., 9⅞ x 14¾ in. Condition reportGood impression and colour, slight trimming, a few small pinholes, a small patch bottom right-hand side, ink and pencil inscription to reverse. 
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.Catalogue noteFisherman at night struggle as they haul a large dragnet upstream. A plume of flame and smoke echoes their leftwards motion, blowing right to left as it steadily arches over a thatched mountain dwelling in the distance and draws the eye to a small figure reclining on the windowsill. A visual interpretation of a poem on longing attributed to Kakimoto no Hitomaro's (flourished late seventh century), the figure gazing outwards appears to be either a lonely scholar or nobleman, perhaps looking out for his lover. In the poem, Kakimoto no Hitomaro compares the drudging sentiment of passing a night without one's lover to the length of a pheasants tail, perhaps evoked here by the writhing line of fishermen and the long, meandering cloud of smoke.
The poem by Kakimoto no Hitomaro has been translated by Peter MacMillan in One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse, (London, 2016), p. 5-6:
Thelongtailofthecopperpheasanttrails,dragsonandonlikethislongnightaloneinthelonelymountains,longingformylove.
Ashibiki noyamadori no o noshidario nonaganagashi yo ohitori kamo nen