Kakemono Hina Dolls with Poem

In brief, calligraphic brushstrokes, this kakemono shows an imperial couple in the style of Hina dolls – reduced to a few characteristic forms such as the curved headdress and the sweeping, wide-flowing robe.

Above the scene, a short poem is inscribed in flowing handwriting, joining image and script into a coherent whole. This union of painting and poetry stands in the tradition of literati-influenced Japanese art, in which a poem deepens the pictorial statement or lends it an additional, often personal note. The restrained coloring, with a few accents of red and yellow, allows the calligraphic quality of the brushwork to stand out all the more.

As a motif for the Hinamatsuri festival, this kakemono combines the festive significance of the Hina dolls with the quiet art form of calligraphy. For collectors who value the connection between image and written word, this work, Hina Dolls with Poem, is a particularly rich choice.