Art Institute of Chicago

Tenji Tenno (The Emperor Tenji), first poet in the series One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse

Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎

Date: c. 1835/36
Medium: Color woodblock print; yoko oban
Culture: Japan
Department: Arts of Asia
Institution: Art Institute of Chicago

Emperor Tenji (628–681) reigned from 668 to 671, during which he established Japan’s first code of civil law. This scene is based on the story that while the emperor was traveling in the countryside, a sudden shower forced him to take shelter in a flimsy, temporary hut in a rice field. His poem expresses his sympathy for his subjects who must work and endure every day under such conditions. Coarse the rush-mat roof Sheltering the harvest hut Of the autumn rice field— And my sleeves are growing wet With the moisture dripping through. (Translated by Clay MacCauley)

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