
1801–1811
This picture is based on the ninth scene in Tales of Ise. Finding life uncomfortable in the capital, Kyoto, the poet traveled east with some friends. They took a river ferry near Mount Fuji and saw a flock of strange birds. In answer to their questions, the ferryman replied, “It is a capital bird, of course.” Stopping on the bank, the poet made this request: If you are in truthWhat your name seems to make you,I will put it to you,Capital-bird, this question:Do things go well with my love?(Translated by Steven Carter)