Indiana University Indiana University IU

Browse the collection

Farewell Poems for a Philosopher

Artist Kitao Shigemasa (Japanese, 1739–1820)
Title Farewell Poems for a Philosopher
Date 1760–1770
Medium Color woodblock print on paper
Dimensions Overall: 7 1/2 x 20 5/8 in. (19.1 x 52.4 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 70.4.460

Share this artwork!

About this Work

Poetry as an outlet for grief is practiced in Japan as it is in many cultures. In this surimono, the first poem of the group was written by the deceased philosopher Sunzensha Shakumaru while the other four were written by his friends and family. The imagery of the tea whisk, cup, and vines may suggest that Sunzensha practiced the tea ceremony.

Poem:

I knew long ago
Watching others die
In Mirror Mountain
That my aged body
Will also die this way
—Sunzensha Shakumaru (on his deathbed)

On my sleeves
The tears are like
Irises in the morning
No sooner are they wiped
Than they are wet and blurred again
—Issō

The voice of the cuckoo
In the off-season
Singing for a while
I wonder if it is
A message from another world
—Shūjō

The place I could see
Until yesterday
In the Asuka River
The cascade of tears
Falls even after three moons
—Rijo

Since I cannot see
That I am in the sunlight
Of lapis lazuli
Let there be
A waterfall of tears
—Aratama Toshinaga


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently off display. You may be able to see this artwork by filling out an art viewing room request.

 

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Farewell Poems for a Philosopher | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2024. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=70.4.460