Portrait of a Kyōka Poet

This print is from a large set (probably 100 in total) of privately printed deluxe woodblock prints (surimono). The small size of the prints in this set indicates that they were most likely used as playing cards during New Year celebrations. The prints in this series feature the literary form of kyoka ("crazy verse" or "mad verse"), which was revived in the city of Edo in the 1780s to parody courtly verse. The popularity of kyoka fostered a salon culture that included the most eminent writers, artists, and actors of the period. The kyoka poet depicted in this print is identified as Tengado Harigane. His name is given in one column of five characters at the far right, and his 31-syllable poem (in 24 characters) is printed in eight columns across the top of the sheet. The artist's signature, "Hokusai ga," is at the lower right.