Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Edo
In the center panel of this triptych, the actor Segawa Kikunojō stands with a pipe in his hand and a smoking set and a surimono print at his feet. Through the window, wisteria and pine are visible in the background. The palindrome goes:
Nagaki yo no
too no nefuri no
mina me same
nami nori fune no
oto no yo kikana
Through the long night
on the distant shore
those sleeping
are all awakened, perhaps
by the sound of the boat
carried across the waves.
Nagaki yo no
too no nefuri no
mina me same
nami nori fune no
oto no yo kikana
Through the long night
on the distant shore
those sleeping
are all awakened, perhaps
by the sound of the boat
carried across the waves.
Artwork Details
- Title: Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Edo
- Artist: Torii Kiyomitsu (Japanese, 1735–1785)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: ca. 1768
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: One sheet of a triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: 12 3/8 × 5 3/8 in. (31.4 × 13.7 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1929
- Object Number: JP1502
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
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Suzuki Harunobu
ca. 1768
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ca. 1768
Torii Kiyomitsu
2nd month, 1771
Torii Kiyomitsu
ca. 1760?
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