Thirty-six immortal poets

The seated men and women in this screen are well-known Japanese poets from early periods of Japanese history. They are surrounded by decorative papers called poetry cards (shikishi), upon which the poets might brush verses in elegant calligraphy.

These figures are collectively known as the thirty-six immortal poets, literary greats grouped together by a poet of a much later generation. The figures include courtly men and women wearing aristocratic garb, as well as Buddhist priests known for memorable verses. There should be thirty-six poets here— how many can you count? Keep in mind that the poets were sometimes shown half-hidden behind a curtain.

Connoisseurship note
The subject matter and style of this screen are unusual for Zeshin, prompting questions about its authenticity. Though relatively rare, a few pictures of court poets by Zeshin survive, suggesting his interest in the theme. Another distinctive feature is the screen's subdued, restricted palette—something like the monochromatic technique (grisaille) used in some European paintings. A similar technique is found in several of the hanging scrolls made by Zeshin for Girls' Day, a holiday in early spring. In the Girls' Day scrolls, Zeshin uses shades of gray and black to paint images of court-style furnishings, while the dolls—figures in aristocratic robes—are brightly colored.

Zeshin's style was scrupulously followed by several disciples, making it possible this work was created by a workshop member, then signed with the master's name and seal. A clue to solving the mystery emerged in a recent repair, when newspapers dating to 1908 were found inside the screen's mounting. This discovery lends credence to the idea that the screens were painted by a follower, perhaps on the basis of sketches from the master's hand.