Poem by Sarumaru Dayu by Katsushika Hokusai

The lyricism of rural landscapes and the celebration of traditional agricultural activities form the main subject of this print of great poetic serenity. Through the scene entitled “Poem by Sarumaru Dayu”, the independent traveler Hokusai Katsushika reinvents the Japanese countryside by inserting figures of workers integrated into nature. The canvas becomes the receptacle of a harmonious world where humanity’s daily rhythm communes with the cycle of seasons.

In the lower left of the image, a group of women dressed in blue and red kimonos advances along a golden path, carrying large woven baskets on their backs and holding wooden rakes. They head toward a village with thatched-roof houses arranged in tiers on the right of the verdant hill. In the center, a wide light blue river winds sinuously through the valleys, creating elegant curves that guide the gaze toward the horizon. Numerous trees with vibrant autumnal red foliage dot the landscape, bringing intense chromatic warmth. A soft twilight light envelops the whole, bathing the sky in a softened rosy glow.

The creator’s decorative genius lies in this bold use of fluid lines to structure the natural space and moving water. His expert handling of woodblock printing gives a characteristic flatness that highlights the silhouette of the characters. This rhythmic treatment demonstrates an immense professional expertise.