Page 169 - Christies Japanese and Korean Art Sept 22 2020 NYC

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KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760-1849) An ox loaded with thatches following a herdsman on the cliff walk.
Poem by Motoyoshi Shinno Two umbrella-concealed ladies walking elegantly from the other
side, accompanied by their porter. Miotsukushi, the group of channel
Woodblock print, from the series Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki (One markers at the center subtly echo to ‘Miwotsukushite mo’ in the
Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse), signed saki no Hokusai poem, as a kakekotoba (pivot word; pun) of ‘to tire myself out’ and a
manji, published by Iseya Sanjiro (Eijudo), circa 1835–36 visual connotation to an emotional encounter. Channel marker has
Horizontal oban: 9¬ x 14¡ in. (24.6 x 36.5 cm.)
been a historic symbol for Naniwa, now Osaka, as can be seen on
$10,000-15,000 the seal and flag of the city even today.
The poem reads:
Prince Motoyoshi (890-943), son of Emperor Yozei in the Heian
period, is a waka poet famous for romance materials. Dedicated
Wabinureba ima hata onaji Miserable, now, it is all the same,
to an ardent lover, this poem was included in the imperial waka
Naniha naru miwotsukushite channel markers at Naniwa-- even if it
anthology Gosen Wakashu (Later Collection of Japanese Poems) and
mo ahamu to zo omofu costs my life, I will see you again!
quoted in Miotsukushi (Channel Buoys), chapter fourteen of The
Tale of Genji.