Skip to content

Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8
Share
Category
Library Item
Item no
16253
Title
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
A woman wearing an elaborate flower garland headdress collects petals in a bowl. Mitsuuji (Genji) is seated at her feet and holds a folding fan with a wave design. Mitsuuji is easily identified by his lobster tail topknot which he ties with a purple cord. The woman's garment shows an effective use of overprinting (purple upon red) to suggest the texture of her gown. The couple are positioned on a wooden bridgeway beneath pink cherry blossom.

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
Required information
Media options