Selections from the New Collection of Japanese Poems from Ancient and Modern Times (Shinkokin wakashū) with Printed Designs of Chinese Lions and Crab Finger Grass

Created in 1610, this hand‑scroll painting by Tawara Sōtatsu presents a selection of Japanese poems accompanied by decorative motifs of stylized Chinese lions and crab‑finger grass. Executed on a long, narrow surface, the work combines delicate linear patterns with sparse black calligraphic characters, set against a muted palette of pale blue, cream and earthy tones.

The scroll juxtaposes literary excerpts from the Shinkokin wakashū anthology with ornamental imagery, reflecting the Edo‑period practice of integrating poetry and visual art. The lion motifs, drawn from Chinese symbolism, convey strength and protection, while the crab‑finger grass suggests natural vitality, together framing the verses within a decorative, contemplative context.

Sōtatsu employs his characteristic tarashikomi method, allowing pigments to bleed and create subtle tonal variations within the tangled, brush‑rendered lines that resemble grass or branches. The fine, irregular strokes are rendered in light brown and gray, while the calligraphic text appears in stark black ink, emphasizing a restrained yet expressive Rinpa aesthetic.