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The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya)
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
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The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya)
The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya)
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Location
Category
Library Item
Item no
16237
Title
The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
This image shows three people walking under blossom. In the bottom right of the print there is a striped hanging curtain that has been secured to a tree. This curtain creates a private space for the small party. An older lady carries a lacquer picnic box, and a blanket over her shoulder. The young woman carries a sword and the child holds his fan. The woman on the left wears a dark coloured kimono decorated with chrysanthemums and the young woman's lilac kimono is patterned with a crow gourd motif. The women's hairstyles are quite plain. The boy wears a thickly knotted obi belt over his lilac trousers (hakama). His red kimono is decorated with golden flowers and this floral design is repeated on the lacquer picnic box. The hilt of his sword is visible at his waist. This image suggests a wealthy family enjoying 'hanami' or blossom viewing.
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
Wood cut
Location
Art and Design Library
Signed: Toyokuni ga
Censors' seals: Aratame
Date seal: Tiger year, 2nd month (1854)
Kyoka poem
Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Niou Miya', Chapter 42. In this chapter the story begins to focus upon the lives of the Third Prince, Niou (grandson of the Akashi Lady and Genji), and Kaoru (son of Genji's wife Onna San no Miya and Kashiwagi). The tale shifts to the subject of Yugiri's unmarried daughters. In order to prevent the Rokujo estate from becoming derelict after Genji's death, Yugiri moves his second wife Ochiba no Miya into the north-east quarter. Genji and Fujitsubo's son, Emperor Reizei, takes a special interest in Kaoru and makes the arrangements for his coming-of-age. Kaoru suspects that there is a secret surrounding his parentage but has no idea that he is Kashiwagi's son. Kaoru is popular and finds support in courtly circles, as a result he rises quickly in status and is very proud. Kaoru's friend and rival, Niou (the Perfumed Prince), is envious of Kaoru's natural scent and uses incense to perfume his clothes. Niou is attracted to Emperor Reizei's First Princess, the daughter of the Kokiden Consort. Kaoru is also interested in the First Princess but does not act because he believes himself to be the half brother of the Emperor Reizei and a blood relative of the First Princess. Yugiri wishes to see his favourite sixth daughter married and he entrusts her to the care of Ochiba no Miya. After a New Year's archery contest a banquet with music and dancing is held at Rokujo. Everyone enjoys the scent of the plum blossoms.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
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