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The Ivy, Chapter 49 (Yadorigi)
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
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The Ivy, Chapter 49 (Yadorigi)
The Ivy, Chapter 49 (Yadorigi)
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About this image
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Location
Category
Library Item
Item no
16244
Title
The Ivy, Chapter 49 (Yadorigi) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
Mitsuuji (Genji) is depicted seated within a ground floor interior. Mitsuuji is identifiable by his lobster tail topknot that has been fastened with a purple cord. He is busy adding strings to his koto (Japanese zither) while a woman in the garden prunes the flowers with her pinking shears. The sliding screens of the villa have been drawn back to allow Mitsuuji a view of the walkway and garden. Behind Mitsuuji there is a panel decorated with 'Genji-ko', one of a number of linear designs constructed from incense sticks that are associated with specific chapters from Murasaki Shikibu's 'Tale of Genji'. Mitsuuji is shown wearing a grey kimono decorated with his crest of crossed cloves, and a red and yellow floral pattern. The young woman in the garden wears blue flowers in her headdress and her red long sleeved kimono bears an undulating river and peony pattern. Her black obi belt has been modestly tied behind her. The garden is very simple consisting of raked stones and a few cultivated flowering plants.
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: Magome and Hama (1849-53)
Date seal: Ox year, 5th month (1853)
Kyoka poem
Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Yadorigi', Chapter 49. In this chapter the Second Princess, Onna Ni no Miya (daughter of the Emperor and the Fujitsubo consort), becomes the focus of the tale. When the Princess' mother dies suddenly before her daughter's donning of the train ceremony, the Princess is left in a precarious situation without any close male relatives to lend her political support. The Emperor takes responsibility for her future and entrusts Kaoru with the care of the Second Princess. Kaoru cautiously agrees to this match although he still secretly mourns Oigimi and harbours affections for her younger sister, Naka no Kimi.
Naka no Kimi wonders how the marriage between her husband, Niou, and Yugiri's daughter, Roku no Kimi, will affect her future. Kaoru learns that Niou will take a second wife and feels guilty for having encouraged the relationship between Niou and Naka no Kimi to develop. Naka no Kimi falls pregnant with Niou's child. Once Niou's marriage to Roku no Kimi has been completed, Niou finds himself unable to leave his bride's residence at Sanjo for long periods of time. In his absence from Nijo, Kaoru calls on Naka no Kimi and speaks of his affections for her. Niou recognises the scent of Kaoru's perfume on Naka no Kimi's clothes and suspects the two are conducting a secret affair.
Naka no Kimi, in order to free herself from Kaoru's misplaced affection, tells him about her estranged sister who closely resembles Oigimi.
This woman is the unrecognized third daughter of Hachi no Miya, and is known as Ukifune. Kaoru visits Naka no Kimi's childhood home in Uji and discusses plans of turning the main house into a temple dedicated to the memory of Hachi no Miya. Kaoru also makes enquiries about Ukifune. Naka no Kimi gives birth to a boy.
Kaoru is promoted and marries the Second Princess. Yugiri presents Kaoru with Kashiwagi's flute finally returning the family heirloom to its rightful owner. When Kaoru next visits the house in Uji he discovers that Ukifune has also made plans to lodge there while on her way back from a pilgrimage to Hatsuse. Kaoru spies on Ukifune and is delighted by her striking resemblance to Oigimi, Naka no Kimi's dead older sister.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
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