The Cicada Shell (Utsusemi) Chapter 3

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut

Category

Library Item

Item no

16223

Title

The Cicada Shell (Utsusemi) Chapter 3 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")

Description

Two women, one seated and the other standing, are shown in an interior setting. The standing woman wears a grey kimono decorated with a seashell design. In her hands she holds a lacquer container filled with counters for the board game Go. Next to her, a woman holding a scroll leans upon a wooden Go board. The Japanese game of Go is often compared to Chess, as it is a game of strategic moves. The seated woman wears an outer kimono with a butterfly design and her red obi is decorated with a starburst pattern. Her clothes are loosely draped around her. On the floor in front of her lies a red 'uchiwa' round fan. Behind the women, the screen doors open onto a view of a lake and Mount Fuji. An elaborate freestanding lamp illuminates the room with its candlelight. The scene suggests a summer evening.

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).

In Tanehiko's 'A Rustic Genji', the characters of Utsusemi and her husband the Vice Governor of Iyo are transformed into Karaginu and Kiyonosuke.

Artist / maker

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)

Date

1853

Size

27.9 x 19.8 cm

Type

Wood cut

Location

Art and Design Library

The following information appears on this print:

Signed: Toyokuni ga
Censors' seals: Hama and Magome (1849-53)
Date seal: Ox year, 1st month (1853)
Kyoka poem

Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Utsusemi', Chapter 3. The character of Utsusemi, wife to the Vice Governor of Iyo, is introduced in the previous chapter. Genji attempts to visit Utsusemi again and tries to use her brother as a matchmaker. From a hidden vantage point, Genji discretely watches Utsusemi playing a game of Go with the Governor of Kii's sister. When the women retire for the night Genji attempts to approach Utsusemi, but she quickly flees from her bed leaving behind a discarded gown. Genji instead finds himself spending the night with the Governor of Kii's sister. Genji's pride is wounded that Utsusemi should choose to treat him with such contempt by frustrating his lover's advances.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Fans

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Furnishings > Ornamentation > Light fixtures

Landscape > Land > Mountains

Landscape > Water > Loch, lakes and ponds

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

Toys > Indoor games > Board games

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