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A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune)

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune)
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune)
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune)
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Library Item
Item no
16247
Title
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
This print depicts three figures travelling in a boat. All three figures wear layered clothing and head coverings to keep them warm. The central figure, Mitsuuji, is stood holding a closed umbrella. The double swords visible at his waist indicate that this character is of samurai class. Seated to his right and clutching an oar, is a woman dressed in a striped kimono and white head covering. The other two figures wear blue head coverings and purple kimono decorated with Genji-mon designs and Mitsuuji's family crest of cloves. The woman seated to Mitsuuji's left wears a voluminous red obi belt into which she has tucked a roll of tissues. A snowy landscape indicates that this scene takes place in the winter.

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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