offer expires at 12:01 AM PDT on 12 Dec 2025

Description

大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Japanese antique Tanzaku rectangle paper / Waka Poem 朝風に うばらかをりて~ TA101

朝風に うばらかをりて 時鳥 なくや卯月の 志賀の山越
Asakaze ni ubara kaori te hototogisu naku ya uzuki no shiga no yamagoe.
On the morning breeze the scent of rambler roses... a little cuckoo cries crossing in Uzuki over the mountains to Shiga.

大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)
A female poet from the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period. Born in Kyoto. She was adopted by 大田垣光古 Otagaki Teruhisa, samurai who served at Chion-in Temple, when she was only 10 days old. She later married 望古 Mochihisa, the adopted son of Teruhisa. She and Mochihisa had three children, all of whom died at an early age. She also lost her husband, Mochihisa soon. At the age of 33, she lost her second husband, 古肥 Hisatoshi. She and Hisatoshi had one daughter, but the daughter and Mochiko died in 1823. She shaved her head and took the name "Rengetsuni / Nun Rengetsu". After that, Rengetsu moved from place to place and was known as "Moving house Rengetsu" because of her love of moving. After her children died, she lost her father at the age of 42 and lived a life of poverty and solitude. After her father's death, she made her own pottery with waka poems carved with nails, which was called "Rengetsu-yaki". Rengetsu-yaki was so popular as a souvenir of Kyoto, but the sales were given to the poor. She loved 富岡鉄斎 Tomioka Tessai (1837-1924) as if he were her own child. She died at the age of 85, 1875 at 神光院 Jinkoin. She excelled in waka poetry, and was also skilled in calligraphy, painting, naginata, and Go. In waka poetry, she wrote many feminine and delicate epic poems, and was good at writing plain epic poems. Rengetsu was also known for his good looks. It is said that some men approached her because of her beauty which never waned even as she grew older. There is an anecdote that she deliberately pulled out her teeth to ruin her beauty and protected herself from temptation.

with signature 'Rengetsu' 蓮月

A rare and evocative tanzaku (poetry strip) by Otagaki Rengetsu (大田垣蓮月), the renowned 19th-century Japanese poet, calligrapher, and Buddhist nun. Written in her distinctive flowing script, this piece captures a moment of seasonal beauty and emotional depth:
“On the morning breeze the scent of rambler roses...
a little cuckoo cries crossing in Uzuki over the mountains to Shiga.”
The poem blends natural imagery with subtle longing, typical of Rengetsu’s lyrical style. It references Uzuki (the fourth lunar month, April–May) and the mountains of Shiga, evoking early summer’s quiet melancholy. Unusually, the calligraphy is brushed on decorative blue paper with faint patterns, adding visual elegance and rarity to the work. A refined and culturally significant piece for collectors of Japanese poetry, calligraphy, and Buddhist art.

Dimensions: 2.3" W x 14.4" H / 6cm x 36.6cm

Material: Paper
Technique: Handpainted
Weight: 10g

Condition

Antique items have originally crease, stain, damage, and more. I would like you to refer to the listing photos, but please understand that it's difficult to show all conditions by the photos. Special notes: STAIN.

About the colors of the photos

The color of the actual item may look different from the picture because of the lighting. The color on a photo can differ because of light, screen settings, personal color perception, etc. Please understand that we can't control the varying light in different environments. Please read the description, check the actual photos, and ask questions if doubts in advance.

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