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The Flute, Chapter 37 (Yokobue)
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
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The Flute, Chapter 37 (Yokobue)
The Flute, Chapter 37 (Yokobue)
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Category
Library Item
Item no
16231
Title
The Flute, Chapter 37 (Yokobue) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
In this image Mitsuuji (Genji) raises his lantern to see a ghostly woman in grey holding a flute. Mitsuuji's fan is decorated with a 'Genji ko', a design created by an arrangement of incense sticks that refers to a specific chapter in the Tale of Genji. The woman in grey wears a blue flower headdress and a red under kimono. Her outer kimono is printed in gradations of pale lilac to green. An obi belt fastens her kimono at the front.
Mitsuuji is dressed in a lilac kimono decorated with a five petal flower design upon a chequerboard ground. His obi belt has a black and orange floral design. As he crouches at the woman's feet he raises the lantern with one hand and grasps the hilt of his sword with the other hand.
Mitsuuji wears clogs (geta) on his feet. The woman's feet are hidden by the foliage of a bushy plant, thus giving the impression that she is floating. Mitsuuji's hair is bound with a purple cord and tied in a lobster tail topknot. This scene takes place at night.
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', 'Yokobue', Chapter 37. In this chapter Genji has scriptures read for To no Chujo's son, Kashiwagi, and makes offerings of gold on his behalf. Genji's son, Yugiri, continues to visit Kashiwagi's widow, the Second Princess Ochiba.
Genji shows real affection for Kashiwagi's son, Kaoru, and marvels at the boy's beauty and intelligence.
On one of his visits to the Second Princess, Yugiri plays the wagon that had once belonged to Kashiwagi. Ochiba's mother presents him with Kashiwagi's flute. Yugiri's wife, Kumoi no Kari, is upset that her husband has begun to court the Second Princess. One evening after playing the flute, Yugiri falls asleep and dreams of Kashiwagi who examines the flute and states that the flute was an heirloom to be passed down 'in his own line'. Yugiri's baby boy is woken up by the spirit that has appeared to Yugiri in his dream.
Yugiri visits Rokujo and describes the dream to Genji, who understands its meaning and takes possession of the flute.
Yugiri also relates to Genji, Kashiwagi's dying request that Genji forgive him. Although Genji seems to understand this message, he conceals its meaning from Yugiri. Yugiri, however, guesses that something is amiss and can not help but observe Kaoru's resemblance to Kashiwagi. He realises that the child is not Genji's son.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
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