Poem by Ariwara no Narihira Ason- (Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as) Seigen Possibly 1852

This woodblock print, *Poem by Ariwara no Narihira Ason- (Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as) Seigen*, was created by Utagawa Kunisada in 1852. It depicts the renowned kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as Seigen, a character from a play based on a poem by Ariwara no Narihira. The print is a *ukiyo-e* work, which is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints that often depict everyday life, actors, and other popular subjects. The dramatic pose and expressive features of Seigen are characteristic of Kunisada's style. This print is a beautiful example of the artistry and cultural significance of *ukiyo-e* prints.