Poem by Kisen Hoshi, from the series "Six Famous Poets (Rokkasen)" c. 1764 - 1765

This is Suzuki Harunobu’s woodblock print, Poem by Kisen Hoshi, made around 1765-1770. A poet sits on a veranda overlooking a vast landscape, a scene encapsulated in the floating square above. Note the recurrent motif of the poet figure. The image within the square depicts Kisen, one of the six famous poets, engaged in literary activity, seated with paper and brush. This echoes a long tradition of portraying intellectual figures. We see it in ancient Chinese paintings of scholars in contemplative poses. This is almost a visual metaphor for introspection and creative thought. The act of writing, of course, is an ancient symbol. In the ancient world, writing was often associated with divine knowledge and power. Over time, the image of the scribe or poet became a symbol of cultural refinement. Here, the poet becomes a symbol of a refined sensibility, one that is deeply moved by the beauty of nature. The poet is positioned to evoke a sense of profound, quiet contemplation, a deep immersion in thought that transcends time.