Kakemono Matsuo Bashō as a Traveler

Wearing a cap (zukin) on his head and with a thoughtful gaze turned slightly to the side, an old man with a walking staff kneels in this kakemono, revealing himself to be the haiku poet Matsuo Bashō – beside him lie an inkstone, brush, and travel bag at the ready. The spare drapery folds, held in muted gray and blue tones, lend the figure a calm, dignified presence. The face is carefully rendered with fine lines for the beard and wrinkles, giving the poet, despite the reduced color palette, an individual, almost portrait-like character. The staff, travel bag and writing utensils at the edge of the image show him as a wandering poet. Above the figure is Bashō's famous haiku 旅人と我名よばれん初しぐれ ("Let my name be Traveler – the first winter rain"), followed by 芭蕉翁 ("the venerable Bashō"); the painter's signature at the lower right begins with 門人 ("disciple"). The mounting shows some age-related damage in the upper section. For collectors of literati-inspired Japanese figure painting, this kakemono is an evocative addition.