Poem by Sakanoue no Korenori, from an untitled series of Thirty-Six Immortal Poets

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of Edo-period Japan Suzuki Harunobu's *Poem by Sakanoue Korenori*, from an untitled series of *Thirty-Six Immortal Poets (c. 1767/68). Harunobu, a master of ukiyo-e "pictures of the floating world"—captured the essence of classical Japanese poetry through vivid imagery. This print honors Sakanoue no Kori, a 10th-century waka poet from the revered *Sanju-rokkasen* anthology, which celebrates36 timeless literary figures. Such series bridged ancient Heian-era traditions with 18th-century popular culture, making elite poetry accessible to everyday viewers. Crafted as a...

About the Artist

Suzuki Harunobu · 1725–1770

Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1725-1770) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who revolutionized woodblock printing by developing nishiki-e—full-color prints using multiple woodblocks—in 1765. Before Harunobu, Japanese prints were limited to two or three colors; his innovation unleashed the entire artist's palette, transforming ukiyo-e into the vibrant art form that would later captivate Western artists from Manet...