Japanese wood block print titled “Ono no Komachi praying for rain” by Ogata Gekko, dating from 1896. Title: Ono no Komachi praying for rain. Visible area of print measures 13.25″ x 19.25″. Black wood frame measures 20″ x 15.25″. Matted and behind acrylic. Has not been examined outside of frame. Margins behind Matt unexamined. An ukiyo-e woodblock print “Ono no Komachi Praying for Rain” by Ogata Gekko, created in 1892 as part of his “Gekko Zuihitsu” (Gekko’s Essays) series. Begun in 1886, “Gekko’s Essays” (Zuihitsu) is a wonderful series encompassing a wide range of subjects. Gekko depicts figures from history and mythology, including famous beauties, poets, scholars, and warriors, along with a few supernatural creatures. These handsome designs are rendered in Gekko’s distinctive painterly style, with soft washes of color and flowing calligraphic line work, expertly printed by Matsuki Heikichi to capture these qualities. The series was completed by 1887, but woodblocks are found with dates up to 1899. Subject: The print features Ono no Komachi, a legendary waka poet and one of the “Six Poetic Geniuses” of the early Heian period in Japan. Narrative: She is shown in a moment of prayer for rain, a scene often associated with her in Japanese folklore. This print is an example of Meiji-era ukiyo-e, which continued the tradition of depicting classical Japanese themes while incorporating new artistic influences. Early Life: Born Nagami Masanosuke in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) in 1859, he was orphaned at a young age and began working to support himself, initially in a lantern shop. Self-Taught Artist: Gekko was largely self-taught, which contributed to his distinct and vivid artistic style. Adoption of Name: Around 1881, he adopted the surname Ogata, suggested by a descendant of the renowned artist Ogata Korin, which lent him prestige. Diverse Work: He started by painting on porcelain and rickshaws, and designed flyers for entertainment quarters before focusing on printmaking. Ukiyo-e Master: Gekko developed a unique style that bridged classical ukiyo-e with modern Japanese printmaking. Notable Works: His works include series like “One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji” (Fuji hyakkei) and historical or legendary themes such as “Night Attack of the Soga” (Soga yo-uchi). Gekko’s art is characterized by its vividness and freedom of style, often depicting traditional subjects like beauties, landscapes, and historical events, as well as scenes from contemporary life and even modern warfare. His work is recognized for its unique blend of traditional ukiyo-e aesthetics with a more modern sensibility, earning him a prominent place among Japanese artists.