Women at a Pavilion in the Snow

This deluxe surimono (privately published woodblock print) captures an intriguing scene of women gathering at pavilion on a snowy day during the New Year’s season. Two women—one in an unusual straw cloak, and the other carrying a sotoba (wooden grave marker)— approach the pavilion, which has the name Jinjitsutei over the gateway. Seen through a circular window, two women and a child inside are about to enjoy some tea by a writing table. In the garden, an old plum tree serves as symbol of approaching spring. Prints such as these were usually produced as New Year’s greetings cards to be privately distributed by members of poetry groups. Often pictures for surimono include allusions to classical literature, which may be the case here.

The name of the pavilion Jinjitsutei indicated on the sign over the gate is derived from the poetry name of the poet Jinjitsutei Tabirako who contributed the kyōka (31-syllable verse) at the top left. We can assume that he commissioned this print, and that other poets, including Jōken Katatsura, Hananoya Michiyori, are members of the same poetry group. The poet on the far right signs himself “Shōsadō Shunman,” which is an alternative name used by Kubo Shunman, a surimono designer and producer, as well as a leading kyōka poet of the day.