offer expires at 12:01 AM PDT on 26 Dec 2025

Description

大田垣蓮月 Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Japanese antique Tanzaku rectangle paper / Waka Poem 山ざとの おいがねざめを~ TA104

山ざとの おいがねざめを とふものは 廿日あまりの 有明の月
Yamazato no oi ga nezame wo tou mono wa hatsuka amari no ariake no tsuki.
In a mountain village the one who visits this old person at her waking― an after-the-twentieth early morning moon.

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 tanzaku poem strip by the renowned nun-poet Otagaki Rengetsu, featuring a waka poem written in her graceful brushwork and signed simply Rengetsu (蓮月). The verse reflects quiet solitude in a mountain village, where the poet imagines a visitor arriving under the faint light of the waning moon. Rengetsu’s calligraphy is expressive and fluid, embodying the poetic spirit of late Edo-period aesthetics. Works bearing her signature are highly sought after for their literary and historical significance. As shown in the photo, the paper has a slight crease, consistent with age and handling. A poignant and elegant artifact for collectors of Japanese poetry and calligraphy.

Dimensions: 2.3" W x 14.2" H / 6cm x 36.1cm

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, FOLD.

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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