"The Hundred Poets Compared" is about a 100-print series made by three famous Ukiyo-e artists of the 19th century: Kuniyoshi, Hiroshige, and Kunisada. Each print compares one of the poems from the most-beloved collection of Japanese poetry, "The One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each" ("Hyakunin Isshu"), with a scene from Japanese history or theatre.

Preface and acknowledgements Notes to the reader Introduction to the series A remarkable adventure An anthology of poems Fujiwara no Teika and the One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each Mitate-e Serial works Parody pictures of the One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each The Tenpo Reforms: publishers and actors under pressure The conception of the series Members of the team Ibaya Senzaburo, fan merchant and publisher Kuniyoshi, the unbridled Hiroshige, master of landscape Ryukatei Tanekazu, author of popular fiction Kunisada, master of the theatrical print Publishing dates of the series A re-evaluation halfway Chief literary sources Kabuki sub rosa Conclusion Notes Pictures, translations, explications and commentaries Appendices Overview of artists, censors, characters, and poets Overview of prints showing specific Kabuki actors Indices actors' stage-names and playwrights Overview of periods in which specific censor seals were used Bibliography Index