Page 135 - 2021 March 16th Japanese and Korean Art, Christie's New York City

Property from an Important Private Institution
(LOTS 83–108)

PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE INSTITUTION
95 KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI 96 KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI
(1760-1849) (1760-1849)

Harumichi no Tsuraki Sei Shonagon

Woodblock print, from the series Shika shashin Woodblock print, from the series Shika shashin
kyo (A true mirror of Chinese and Japanese kyo (A true mirror of Chinese and Japanese
poetry), signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu, Poetry), signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu,
published by Moriya Jihei published by Moriya Jihei
Vertical nagaban: 19¡ x 8√ in. (49.2 x 22.5 Vertical nagaban: 20 x 8æ in. (50.8 x 22.2 cm.)
cm.)
$10,000-15,000
$10,000-15,000

This print depicts a scene from the story of Moshokun
For another impression, see Museum of Fine Arts, (Meng Chan-kun). On fleeing from a neighboring
Boston (21.6666). kingdom he arrived at the frontier barrier at night only
to find a notice that it would be opened at cock-crow.
One of his retainers climbed up a tree and feigned
the crowing of a cock setting all the other cocks in
the neighborhood crowing. Thereupon the guards,
thinking that dawn had arrived, unlocked and opened
the gate through which Moshokun passed to the
security of his native state of which he was the prince.

Sei Shonagon composed a poem alluding to this
story; Yo o komete tori no sorane wa hakarutomo, Yo
ni Ousaka no seki wa yurusajiwhich roughly translates
"Though in the depth of the night, by the feigned
crowing of the cock, some may be deceived, yet at
Ousaka's gate this shall never be allowed."