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The Thirty-Six Immortal Poets

The Thirty-Six Immortal Poets (detail)
by Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800)
Japan, Edo period, 1798-99
pair of six panel screens, ink on paper, 55 5/16 inches (1.40 m) high
signed outer edge of first and last panels, seals on each panel
Marion G. Hendrie Endowment Trust and Asian Art Department Acquisition Fund
1977.35.1-.2

For calligraphy translation, roll your cursor over the image

 Entire View
View Gallery Object Zoom in on Screen with Immortal Poets

The eccentric painter Jakuchu gave the venerable theme of Thirty-Six Immortal Poets a humorous twist by posing them at play: blowing soap bubbles, exhaling smoke rings, spinning a yo-yo, juggling, and enjoying food and drink. In one panel, a poet-calligrapher shows off his virtuosity by writing with a brush held in his mouth.