Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III, 1786-1865)
A Collection of Charming Tales of Genji:
Chapter 25; Spring Shoots II
(Genji goshu yojo: Dai niju go no maki; Wakana no ge)
deluxe printing with blind printing on the entire background in a pattern of stylized clouds and a variety of Genji-mon (crests that identify each of the fifty-four chapters); signed Toyokuni ga, with publisher's seal Ryogoku Hirokoji, Hayashi sho ban, date seal of Uma-ni (year of the horse [1858], 2nd month)
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oban tate-e diptych 14 3/8 by 19 5/8 in., 36.4 by 49.7 cm
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This title of this particular series, Genji goshu yojo, is a pun. Phonetically, Genji goshu yojo sounds very much like Genji go-ju-yon (a typical title referring to the 54 chapters in the story), however, the kanji used in the title carry a different meaning: goshu means 'collected,' while yojo translates as 'charm.' Rather than depict the familiar scenes associated with each chapter, Kunisada explores subjects inspired by the 'charm' of the romantic tale.
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In the original Genji Monogatari, Chapter 25 is titled Hotaru ("Fireflies"), and Chapter 35 is titled Wakana no ge ("Spring Shoots II").
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Reference:
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (www.mfa.org), William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 1911, accession no. 11.29833; 11.29838
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SOLD
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