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『五色染六歌仙』 僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1798

『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen), by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1798
『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen), by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1798

『五色染六歌仙』 僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro illustrates the Heian-period poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890), one of the Six Poetic Immortals.

This woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro illustrates the Heian-period poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890), one of the Six Poetic Immortals. The composition captures a specific narrative moment where Henjō is depicted slipping a love letter into the sleeve of a woman, visually representing the theme of falling in love. As part of the series "Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals," the work functions as a mitate-e, a genre that reinterprets classical literary figures within contemporary ukiyo-e aesthetics.

The imagery symbolizes the intersection of historical poetic tradition and the romantic intrigues of the floating world, using the physical act of delivering a letter to embody the emotional state of courtship.

Technique & Style

Executed in nishiki-e (brocade print) technique, the sheet is printed in polychrome ink and color on paper with mica flecks to heighten luminosity. Utamaro’s delicate line and subtle gradations of tone define the figures and setting, while the patterned textile backdrop is rendered with fine karazuri (blind-printing) to suggest woven texture without added color. The composition balances flat decorative pattern against softly modeled faces, a hallmark of Utamaro’s mature style.

The print belongs to a mitate-e series that reimagines Heian poets in contemporary Edo romantic narratives, pairing the canonical subject with the artist’s signature lyricism and technical refinement.

History & Provenance

The woodblock print titled “The Poet Sōjō Henjō Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve” was created by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1798. It belongs to the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen). The work is a nishiki-e print executed in ink and color on paper. Currently, the piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The woodblock print "The Poet Sōjō Henjō Slipping a Letter into a Woman's Sleeve" is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1798 by Kitagawa Utamaro, this work is part of the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen). The museum's records identify the piece as a nishiki-e print on paper depicting the poet Henjo.

The provided sources do not specify a unique accession or inventory number for this particular sheet, nor do they list any exhibition history or loan records for the work.

Overview

This woodblock print, created around 1798 by Kitagawa Utamaro, belongs to the series titled Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals. It portrays a moment in which the poet Sōjō Henjō, dressed in a dark robe, discreetly places a folded letter into the sleeve of a woman wearing a pale pink kimono, who looks away, partially concealed by a fan.

Context

During the Edo period, ukiyo‑e artists frequently depicted scenes from literature and folklore, blending narrative content with the popular genre of bijin-ga, images of beautiful women. Utamaro’s focus on a fleeting romantic encounter aligns with contemporary tastes for refined, emotionally charged moments drawn from classical poetry.

『五色染六歌仙』 在原業平と小野小町|“The Poet Ariwara no Narihira (825–880) and Ono no Komachi,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)
『五色染六歌仙』 在原業平と小野小町|“The Poet Ariwara no Narihira (825–880) and Ono no Komachi,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen), Kitagawa Utamaro

Artist & collection

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted 『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)?

『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen) was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in ca. 1798.

Where can I see 『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)?

『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)?

『五色染六歌仙』　僧正遍昭|“The Poet Sōjō Henjō (816–890) Slipping a Letter into a Woman’s Sleeve,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen) is associated with Romanticism.