Nakanoin Michishige | A pair of poems
A pair of poems, as "an offering from Michishige, in the seventh month, on the occasion of the monthly poetry gathering in the Emperor's palace." - The theme of the gathering was - as Michishige writes - "Paddies and Lightening".
Out in open air
yet hidden in early evening -
the mountain paddies'
moon-awaiting dewdrops
illuminated by flashing lightening.
For gazing upon the dewdrops
not even a hut to see here -
in the many villages
beyond the paddies
lightening flashes.
Nakanoin Michichige was a prominent representative of Japanese court culture. Today he is most remembered for his commentaries on the Genji Monogatari, on which he worked together with the Samurai and Confucian scholar Kumazawa Banzan.
buy now
Nakanoin Michishige (1631-1710)
A pair of poems
Ink on paper
19.4 x 49.5 cm (7 1/2 x 19 1/2 in.)
Mounting 109 x 61.5 cm (43 x 24 1/4 in.)
Box with inscription