礫川亭永理 (鳥橋斎栄里)画　壬生忠岑の見立絵|Courtier and Two Ladies of the Court, with a Poem by Mibu no Tadamine

Art Historical Context

This enchanting woodblock print by Rekisentei Eiri, created around 1791 during Japan's Edo period (1615–1868), captures a whimsical *mitate-e*—a playful pictorial parody that reimagines classical poetry in contemporary life. Titled *Courtier and Two Ladies the Court, with a Poem by Mibu no Tad*, it depicts an elegant courtier accompanied by two graceful women, evoking a waka poem by the Heian-era poet Mibu no Tadamine (active ca. 905). Eiri, a skilled ukiyo-e artist and follower of the master Utamaro, infuses the scene with vibrant colors and delicate lines, highlighting the beauty of everyday...