Skip to main content

Search

My Visit
Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution

Site Navigation

  • Visit
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Maps and Brochures
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
      • Group Sales
  • What's On
    • Exhibitions
      • Current
      • Upcoming
      • Past
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
  • Explore
    • - Art & Design
    • - History & Culture
    • - Science & Nature
    • - Innovation & Tech
    • Collections
      • Open Access
      • Snapshot
    • Research Resources
      • Libraries
      • Archives
        • Smithsonian Institution Archives
        • Air and Space Museum
        • Anacostia Community Museum
        • American Art Museum
        • Archives of American Art
        • Archives of American Gardens
        • American History Museum
        • American Indian Museum
        • Asian Art Museum Archives
        • Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art
        • Hirshhorn Archive
        • National Anthropological Archives
        • National Portrait Gallery
        • Ralph Rinzler Archives, Folklife
        • Libraries' Special Collections
    • Podcasts
    • Stories
  • Learn
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
      • Art & Design Resources
      • Science & Nature Resources
      • Social Studies & Civics Resources
      • STEAM Learning Resources
      • Professional Development
      • Events for Educators
      • Field Trips
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
  • Support Us
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
      • Smithsonian Call Center
      • Ambassador Program
      • Museum Information Desk
      • Docent Programs
      • Behind-the-Scenes
      • Digital Volunteers
      • Participatory Science
  • About
    • Our Organization
      • Board of Regents
        • Members
        • Committees
        • Reading Room
        • Bylaws, Policies and Procedures
        • Schedules and Agendas
        • Meeting Minutes
        • Actions
        • Webcasts
        • Contact
      • Museums and Zoo
      • Research Centers
      • Cultural Centers
      • Education Centers
      • General Counsel
        • Legal History
        • Internships
        • Records Requests
          • Reading Room
        • Tort Claim
        • Subpoenas & Testimonies
        • Events
      • Office of Human Resources
        • Employee Benefits
        • How to Apply
        • Job Opportunities
        • Job Seekers with Disabilities
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • SI Civil Program
        • Contact Us
      • Office of Equal Opportunity
        • EEO Complaint Process
        • Individuals with Disabilities
        • Small Business Program
          • Doing Business with Us
          • Contracting Opportunities
          • Additional Resources
        • Special Emphasis Programs
      • Sponsored Projects
        • Policies
          • Combating Trafficking in Persons
          • Animal Care and Use
          • Human Research
        • Reports
        • Internships
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
      • Annual Reports
      • Metrics Dashboard
        • Dashboard Home
        • Virtual Smithsonian
        • Public Engagement
        • National Collections
        • Research
        • People & Operations
      • Strategic Plan
    • Newsdesk
      • News Releases
      • Media Contacts
      • Photos and Video
      • Media Kits
      • Fact Sheets
      • Visitor Stats
      • Secretary and Admin Bios
      • Filming Requests

Thirty-Six Poets

National Museum of Asian Art

Object Details

Artist
Sakai Hoitsu 酒井抱一 (1761-1828)
Frame maker
Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845)
Label
In the early eleventh century the poet Fujiwara no Kinto (966-1041) selected and anthologized the works of thirty-six notable poets--thirty-one men and five women--who were active in Japan from the seventh through the early eleventh century. The poetry produced by this grouping came to represent the pinnacle of Japanese aesthetic sensibility. From the thirteenth century, paintings featuring idealized images of the poets, together with texts of their representative poems, began to appear.
Hoitsu's presentation of the august assemblage is full of comic reference, reflecting an Edo-period (1615-1868) penchant for parodying staid classical subjects. Hoitsu portrays only thirty-five playfully caricatured faces and postures. The missing poet, Saigu no Nyogo, is not seen in probable deference to her imperial status; her presence behind the white curtain is presumed.
Hoitsu modeled this painting on a similar work by Ogata Korin (1658-1716). The frame surrounding the screen is signed by Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845), a lacquer artist who frequently collaborated with Hoitsu.
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History
Painting the Classics: Japanese Screens (November 10, 2018 to October 14, 2019)
Japanese Screens (March 2007 to January 3, 2016)
More Than Flowers: Sources of Tradition in Japanese Painting (September 2, 2001 to November 24, 2002)
Japanese Screens (May 9, 1993 to November 13, 1995)
Literary Themes in Japanese Art (February 13, 1986 to March 9, 1987)
Japanese Screens (February 11, 1983 to July 19, 1988)
Rimpa Screens (October 9, 1980 to December 21, 1981)
Japanese Lacquer (April 16, 1979 to October 8, 1980)
Japanese Art (October 2, 1975 to October 8, 1976)
Japanese Art—Painted Screens (August 18, 1967 to May 2, 1973)
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
early 19th century
Period
Edo period
Accession Number
F1970.22
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Painting
Medium
Ink, color, and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 150.3 × 162.4 cm (59 3/16 × 63 15/16 in)
H x W (mount): 154.3 × 166.4 cm (60 3/4 × 65 1/2 in)
Origin
Japan
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Topic
Edo period (1615 - 1868)
poet
Japan
Japanese Art
Record ID
fsg_F1970.22
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye348f8fdba-cb48-44d3-ad68-f91006c0070c

Related Content

  • Poetry

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Footer logo

Link to homepage

Footer navigation

  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Get Involved
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • EEO & Small Business
  • Shop Online
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

Social media links

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Get the latest news from the Smithsonian

Sign up for Smithsonian e-news

Get the latest news from the Smithsonian

Email powered by BlackBaud (Privacy Policy, Terms of Use)
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Back to Top