Suzuki Harunobu, "The First Day of Spring (Risshun)" from the series "Fashionable Poetic Immortals of the Four Seasons", ca.1768, Woodblock print on paper, 11" x 8 1/4"
Conversation
Replying to
A young man with a sword tucked into his sash looks up at a young woman in the doorway as he gestures toward a bitter-orange (daidai) tree in the garden.
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The artist puns on a classical poem by Fujiwara no Shunzei (1114–1204) that refers to opening the gates of the heavens (ama no to) by showing a young woman opening rain shutters.
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The poem reads:
"Ama no to no
akuru keshiki mo,
shizuka nite
kumoi yori koso
haru wa tachikere
"As the gates of
heavens open, quietly
a splendid scene appears
as spring arrives from
the palace of the clouds."
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