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Flying Geese and Full Moon, from the series Japanese and Chinese Poems for Recitation (Wakan rôeishû)


「和漢朗詠集」 月、雁
Utagawa Hiroshige I (Japanese, 1797–1858)
Publisher: Jôshûya Kinzô (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
about 1842–43 (Tenpô 13–14)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 37.4 x 25.6 cm (14 11/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
Credit Line Denman Waldo Ross Collection
Accession Number06.1224
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Dai ukiyo-e ten/5 Ukiyo-e Favorites (2019), #304; Hizô Ukiyo-e taikan/Ukiyo-e Masterpieces in European Collections 11, Museo d'Arte Orientale, Genoa, II (1989), fig. 142; Ukiyo-e shûka 14 (1981), Hiroshige list, p. 249, ôban #65.8
DescriptionWei Chengqing (640?-706?) was an early Tang-dynasty poet and government official who was sent into exile several times during his eventful career. In this poem, one political exile addresses another, speaking of their longing for home.

"We were transported ten thousand leagues to the south.
In the three months of spring, the geese fly north once again.
But when, oh when, will a year and month come
When together with you, I can return home like the geese?" (trans. SET)

(The moon is not actually mentioned in the poem, but it is suggested by the word "month," which is written with the same Chinese character.)
Signed Hiroshige hitsu
広重筆
Marks Censor's seal: kiwame
Artist's seal: Ichiryûsai
改印:極
InscriptionsChinese poem by Wei Chengqing 韋承慶 (Wakan rôeishû #317)
「万里人南方 三春雁北来 不知何歳月 得与汝同帰」
ProvenanceMarch 8, 1906, gift of Denman Waldo Ross