Three Poems of the Dusk (Sanseki no waka): Courtesan Tying Her Sash
Torii Kiyonaga
Description
Subject Matter:
The inscription noted in the marks/inscription section is a waka, a poem that follows a syllable structure like the haiku or tanka. The waka follows a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern. The author is Saigyo, a poet moved by nature and Buddhism. The poem reads "Kokoro naki / mi ni mo aware wa / shirare keri / shigi tatsu sawa no / aki no yugure". The poem roughly translates to "Even a person free of passion would be moved to sadness: autumn evening in a marsh where snipes fly up". This details the heartlessness of a monk who has left behind all worldly possessions but is still affected by "mono no aware" or the sadness that comes with change.
The woman depicted in this print focuses intently on tying her sash and in conjunction with the poem gives an almost poignant atmosphere. She falls into a routine of tying her sash every day, feeling consistency and no "mono no aware". She has many objects in the frame of the print, offsetting the lack thereof of things from Buddhist monks.
Physical Description:
This long print depicts a woman tying the sash of her kimono or obi. She looks down toward her obi in concentration as she faces to the left. Objects and shades are present to allude to a room. A ball of what appears to be a plant hangs above her head. There is a small inscription on the middle left edge.
Usage Rights:
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