A Ghost Inspires a Poet

Here is another of Kuniyoshi's prints. This one was used to illustrate a collection of poetry. It shows the poet Dainagon Tsunenobu, who lived about a thousand years ago. He is seen writing his most famous poem, which goes:

When the evening comes
From the rice leaves at my gate
Gentle knocks are heard;
And, into my round rush-hut,
Autumn's roaming breeze makes way.

Just as Tsunenobu finished the poem, a ghost appeared outside his window and recited another poem. This one was written by a Chinese poet known in Japanese as Hakuraten. If only writing stories and poems were as easy as waiting for a ghost to recite one to you!