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Butterflies (Kocho) Chapter 24

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
Butterflies (Kocho) Chapter 24
Butterflies (Kocho) Chapter 24
Butterflies (Kocho) Chapter 24
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Category
Library Item
Item no
16217
Title
Butterflies (Kocho) Chapter 24 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
A young girl dressed in a red kimono with a butterfly design passes to a nun a vase containing blossoms. Both figures are shown crouching beside a small blue screen with an open lattice section. The nun has a shaved head and wears a simple white kimono with a black pleated divided skirt (hakama). From behind the screen, Mitsuuji (Genji) approaches holding a black lacquer box decorated with a golden floral motif. Mitsuuji's lilac kimono is decorated with Genji-mon, a pattern made from an arrangement of incense sticks that corresponds to a particular chapter from Murasaki's 'Tale of Genji'. Mitsuuji's hakama are decorated with a bold plaid. The hilt of Mitsuuji's sword is visible. A small plant is positioned to the left of the scene.
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
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG​
£7.32(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF​
£37.20(inc. VAT 20%)
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