Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎

These depictions of Asian poets reflect the connection between writers and their texts, visualized here through deliberate use of forms.

Portrayed at left is Khwaja Shams-ud-Din Mu?ammad ?afe?-e Shirazi (Hafiz), a Persian poet from the 1300s whose influence can be felt to this day. He is entertained by a swaying dancer and a musician playing a daf, a Persian frame drum. The figures’ curving forms capture the rhythm of music depicted in the scene. [17.432]

At right is Ono no Komachi, a celebrated Japanese poet who lived in the 800s. Her figure is formed by the cursive characters of her name. Written above is one of her poems, which echoes the calligraphic lines of her clothes. [20.1178]

A handful of poems by Ono no Komachi (active 834-857) are preserved in the tenth-century Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems (Kokin waka-shu). It is the legends about her life, however, that have perpetuated her fame and immortalized her beauty.

In this rendition of the alluring poetess, Hokusai has used the characters of her name to draw her form. The print, although faded, still preserves the elegance and grace of Hokusai’s original design.