Description

大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Japanese antique Tanzaku rectangle paper / Waka Poem 冬川- 大井川 岸のゐぐひに~ TA84

冬川 Fuyukawa
Winter River.

大井川 岸のゐぐひに むせぶ也 山のあらしの 末のしらなみ
Ooigawa kishi no igui ni musebu nari yama no arashi no sue no shiranami.
Here by stakes on the bank the Ooi River weeps... from the mountain rainstorm— white-capped waves.

This poem paints a scene where the stakes on the bank of the Ooi River seem to embrace the sorrowful weeping of the river. The imagery connects the flowing water with the aftermath of a mountain rainstorm, where white-capped waves roll toward the shore. By intertwining nature's movements with emotion, the poem evokes both dynamic beauty and deep sentiment.

The seal on the back:

維新七十年記念 勤王志士遺墨 展出品之章

Calligraphic works displayed In the loyalist exhibition of Meiji Restoration 70th Anniversary

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

Dimensions: 2.3" W x 14.2" H / 6cm x 36.2cm

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

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