Suntory Museum of Art
About the Museum
Collection
Notable Works
Portrait of Minamoto no Shitagō, from the Satake Version of the Thirty-six Immortal Poets

Notable Works

Paintings

Portrait of Minamoto no Shitagō, from the Satake Version of the Thirty-six Immortal Poets

Important cultural property

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Artist: Painting attributed to Fujiwara no Nobuzane/Calligraphy attributed to Gokyogoku Yoshitsune
Number of components: 1
Format and materials: Color on paper
Dimensions (in cm): L. 36.6, W. 60.5
Date of production: Kamakura period 13th century

The Satake version of the Thirty-six Immortal Poets comprises images and short biographies of 36 great poets, including Kakinomoto no Hitomaro and Ki no Tsurayuki, as well their poems included in Thirty-six Immortal Poets as selected by Fujiwara no Kintō (966-1041). Originally handscrolls in two volumes, their name derives from the Satake family of the Akita Domain who owned the scroll for generations. Traditionally, the work is attributed to Fujiwara no Nobuzane, who painted similar pictures. The portraits of each poet are distinctive for clearly distinguishing between individuals. Minamoto no Shitagō (911-983) is portrayed, holding a shaku ceremonial baton and resting his cheek in his hand, in profound thought as he refines a poetic phrase.

Notable Works

Portrait of Minamoto no Shitagō, from the Satake Version of the Thirty-six Immortal Poets

SUNTORY MUSEUM of ART