Yashima Gakutei 八島岳亭

The Osaka-based Crane Poetry Group commissioned Gakutei, an Edo (modern Tokyo) printmaker, to design a set of surimono depicting courtesans as immortals. The holy hermit Kinko is said to have traveled on the back of a large carp. The poem to the left of the courtesan is by Chiyo no Matsuhiko (act. mid-1820s), a member of the Crane Poetry Group, and the nesting-crane emblem is part of the series title in the upper right. Gakutei designed the background with crane images and identified himself as an artist from Edo.

This sumptuously printed surimono shows a famous courtesan and is part of a series commissioned by The Crane Poetry Club. Her kimono is decorated with a carp design; the background motif of stylized cranes indicates the sponsor. Gakutei is said to have studied under Hokkei, Hokusai's pupil.