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Description

大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Japanese antique art kakejiku kakemono wall hanging scroll / Tanzaku Waka Poem 雲とみし さくらは跡も ~ RE235

雲とみし さくらは跡も なつ山の 青葉にかをる 風のすずしさ
Kumo to mi shi sakura wa ato mo natsuyama no aoba ni kaoru kaze no suzushisa.
What seemed clouds were cherry petals gone without a trace— in the summer mountains blowing over the green leaves: the cool of the wind.

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 77 years old' 蓮月七十七才

This antique tanzaku-style hanging scroll presents a refined waka by Otagaki Rengetsu, written in her flowing, unmistakable hand and signed “Rengetsu, 77 years old” (蓮月七十七才). In this poem, she reflects on the fleeting transformation from spring to summer—cherry blossoms disappearing like clouds, replaced by the cool wind moving through fresh green leaves in the mountain air. The verse is rendered with the quiet clarity and emotional depth characteristic of Rengetsu’s mature work. The calligraphy carries the gentle restraint of a poet-monk who shaped her art through a life of hardship, wandering, and deep spiritual practice. Her brushstrokes, soft yet deliberate, embody the same sensitivity found in her celebrated pottery and handwritten waka, offering a glimpse into the contemplative world she cultivated. This scroll stands as a graceful testament to Rengetsu’s legacy, combining literary elegance with the intimate warmth of her calligraphic style—an evocative piece that brings both seasonal atmosphere and historical presence into the space where it is displayed.

Whole dimensions: 12.5" W x 62.9" H / 32cm x 159.8cm
Inside dimensions: 2.4" W x 14.2" H / 6.2cm x 36.3cm

Material: Paper
Technique: Handpainted
Roller ends: Wood (DAMAGE)

Weight: 160g

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, CREASE a little, FOLD, WARP, STAIN DAMAGE in the back of the mounting.

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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