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The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya)

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya)
The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya)
The Perfumed Prince, Chapter 42 (Niou Miya)
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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
Location
Art and Design Library
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG
£5.80(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF
£29.40(inc. VAT 20%)
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