Fan-shaped poetic inscription

Kafū Nagai

Meiji to Shōwa period (20th century)

Donated by Norio Homma

Kafū Nagai (1879–1959) was a novelist active from the Meiji period to the early Shōwa period. In his youth, Kafū , who was an Edo-culture devotee, studied in the United States and France at the recommendation of his father. After his return to Japan, he published many works which brought a new perspective to the Japanese literary world. His representative works include Amerika Monogatari, The River Sumida and “Danchōtei nichijō”. He also became a professor at Keiō University, where he was active in publishing the literary journal Mita Bungaku .

Inscription

Writing: 湯帰りや 灯ともし頃の 雪もよひ

Reading: Yugaeri ya akari tomoshi koro no yukimoyohi

Meaning: Returning home from the bathhouse, lanterns aglow, snow falling