Ariwara no Narihira

Catalog note / 解説

In this print by Hokusai three couples are enjoying themselves on the bridge over the Tatsuta River. The river is especially appreciated during autumn. It is evening as suggested by the orange coloring and the farmer at the left with a full load of sheaves on his back. The couple at the top with the man carrying a small boy are clearly of a higher rank than the others as seen from their clothing. The two men by the riverbank are engaged in net fishing. It is autumn as depicted by the red leaves flowing in the stream, and the sheaves of rice standing in the fields. A charming, but perhaps untrue story is told of Hokusai in conjunction with this print. Hokusai had been invited to paint a pict…