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A Waste of Weeds (Yomogiu) Chapter 15

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
A Waste of Weeds (Yomogiu) Chapter 15
A Waste of Weeds (Yomogiu) Chapter 15
A Waste of Weeds (Yomogiu) Chapter 15
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Library Item
Item no
16207
Title
A Waste of Weeds (Yomogiu) Chapter 15 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
Three women are seated by a worn folding screen in a dilapidated building. This is an allusion to the residence of Suetsumuhana in Murasaki Shikibu's 'Tale of Genji'. The sliding screen, to the right, painted with a landscape is also torn. The woman at the back peers through the holes in the screen, while the other two women discuss a private matter. The central figure holds up a folded letter and speaks to the younger girl at her side. A lamp with a wicker shade stands to their left. The women wear highly patterned kimono and the central figure is seated on a square cushion.
The season is autumn, and red maple leaves are visible.

This image derives from the serial novel or 'gokan', 'A Fake Murasaki and a Rustic Genji' (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) written by Ryutei Tanehiko and illustrated by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), that was published between 1829-1842. This story reworks elements from the 'Tale of Genji' and transposes the action from the Heian period (794-1185) to the time of the Muromachi era's Onin Wars (1467-1477).
Artist / maker
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)
Date
1853
Size
27.9 x 19.8 cm
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
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