Who painted The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen)?

The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen) was painted by Sakai Hōitsu in 1824-01-01.

Where can I see The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen)?

The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen)?

The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen) is associated with Rinpa school.

Artwork

The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen)

Sakai Hōitsu , 1824

The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen) is an unspecified painting by the Rinpa school artist Sakai Hōitsu. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work visually represents these figures, who are celebrated for their mastery of verse, thereby serving as an icon of Japan's classical poetic tradition.

Created in 1824 by Sakai Hōitsu, this painting depicts the Sanjūrokkasen, a canonical group of thirty-six poetic immortals from Japanese literary history. The work visually represents these figures, who are celebrated for their mastery of verse, thereby serving as an icon of Japan's classical poetic tradition. By portraying these specific men, the artwork functions as a tribute to the enduring legacy of poetry within the culture.

The piece encapsulates the reverence for these historical literary figures, transforming their collective identity into a singular artistic subject.

History & Provenance

The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen) was created by Sakai Hōitsu in 1824, with the work made in Japan. It is classified as a painting and is now held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located. The sources do not provide further detail on the chain of ownership preceding its accession by the museum, nor on any specific commission or circumstances surrounding its creation. establishes the 1824 date and the artist, while corroborates the inception year, the place of production, and the current institutional holding at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The painting The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen), created by Sakai Hōitsu in 1824, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While the work is documented as part of the museum's holdings, specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available records. The piece depicts figures associated with poetry and remains a recognized example of Hōitsu's work within the institution's Japanese art assembly.

Context

The painting titled The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals was created by Sakai Hōitsu in 1824, as recorded in contemporary documentation. Executed in Japan, it belongs to the genre of literary illustration, portraying a solitary figure engaged in poetic composition. The work is classified as a painting and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, where it is displayed in New York.

Its inclusion in a leading museum reflects its recognition as an important example of early nineteenth‑century Japanese visual culture that merges text and image.

Overview

Sakai Hōitsu's painting, The Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals (Sanjūrokkasen), was created in 1824. This work, now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts two figures rendered in ink, surrounded by calligraphic text. It draws upon a revered theme in Japanese culture, celebrating the nation's classical literary heritage through visual art.

Technique & Style

Hōitsu employs a distinctive minimalist style, rendering the two figures with clean, bold ink lines on a light background. The absence of significant shading emphasizes the clarity of form and contour. One figure reclines, holding a folded fan, while the other sits cross-legged, hand resting on chin. This precise draftsmanship, combined with the calligraphic elements, reflects the aesthetic principles associated with the Rinpa school.