Antiques, Decorative and Fine Arts Auction

Antiques, Decorative and Fine Arts Auction

Lot 83: Antique Japanese Edo Period Triptych Drawings of Immortal Poets (Sanjurokkasen)

2026-09-26T15:00:00Z

Start price: CAD $50

Lot 83:

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Antique Japanese Edo Period Triptych Drawings of Immortal Poets (Sanjurokkasen)

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Start price: CAD $50

Description

A matching triptych of three antique Japanese portrait paintings (ita-e), executed in ink and vibrant mineral pigments on paper, likely dating to the mid-to-late Edo Period.

This cohesive set features three elite historical court nobles (kugyo) from the celebrated Thirty-Six Immortal Poets (Sanjurokkasen) anthology. Each figure is elegantly dressed in formal ceremonial court attire (sokutai) and seated atop decorated ritual mats with wave motif (seigaiha) borders.
The triptych is completely documented on the reverse side of each paper with handwritten black ink calligraphy, identifying their exact historical names and official Right Team (Migi) competition seats:
Portrait 1: Fujiwara no Kinto Inscription:(Right Team, Position 10)
Note: The legendary Heian-period scholar, chief councilor, and the actual original compiler who created the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets list. (Poet no. 55 in the Hyakunin Isshu).
Portrait 2: Minamoto no MuneyukiInscription: Right Team, Position 11
Note: A famous early Heian magistrate and master warrior-poet. He is visually distinguished here by his military status symbols, including a fanned-out arrow quiver (ya) behind his shoulder and a ceremonial sword (tachi). (Poet no. 28 in the Hyakunin Isshu).
Portrait 3: Fujiwara no Atsutada Inscription:Right Team, Position 14
Note: A prominent Heian courtier, celebrated imperial musician, and master of romantic waka poetry. (Poet no. 43 in the Hyakunin Isshu).


Approximately 21 x 24.5 cm each.