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The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
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The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1
The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1
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Category
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Item no
16201
Title
The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
The print depicts two women dressed in contemporary 19th century Edo fashions.The younger of the two women wears elaborate hairpins and her red kimono is decorated with a cherry blossom pattern that suggests spring and youthfulness. The older woman wears her hair in a more conservative style and her garment bears a chrysanthemum design. This particular flower is usually associated with the autumn months. A waterfall pattern decorates the back wall of the room, perhaps suggesting the building's dilapidated condition. The older woman holds up a lantern and appears to lead the way as she crosses the room. She is shown making an exaggerated stepping movement that reveals her white 'tabi' socks, this gesture may be borrowed from Kabuki theatre.
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). Prince Genji or 'the Shining Lord' (hikaru kimi) from Murasaki Shikibu's novel is reinvented by Tanehiko and renamed Ashikaga Mitsuuji (Shining Clan). In 'A Rustic Genji' the Kiritsubo Intimate is recreated in the character of Hanagiri. In Chapter 1, Hanagiri's former servant Sugibae (Myobu in 'Genji')), visits Hanagiri's bereaved mother.
Artist / maker
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)
Date
1853
Size
27.9 x 19.8 cm
Type
Wood cut
Location
Art and Design Library
The following information appears on this print:
Signed: Toyokuni ga
Censors' seals: Hama and Magome (1849-53)
Date seal: Ox year, 1st month (1853)
Kyoka poem
Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Kiritsubo', Chapter 1. In the opening chapter of the tale the Kiritsubo Emperor installs Genji's mother, the Kiritsubo Intimate, in the Paulownia Pavilion. Although Genji's mother is the Emperor's favourite, she lacks the political support and backing from influential male relatives that could defend her position against jealous rivals. Bullied and humiliated by her enemies, most significantly by the Kokiden Consort who is mother to the Heir Apparent Suzaku, the Kiritsubo Intimate sickens and dies. A gentlewoman, Yugei no Myobu, visits the Kiritsubo Intimate's mother and the grieving Emperor's condition is discussed. Fujitsubo, who resembles the Kiritsubo Intimate, is sent to the palace to console the Emperor. Genji falls in love with Fujitsubo. The Emperor decides to make his favourite son by the Kiritsubo Intimate a 'Genji', or a commoner. The absence of an imperial title will enable his son to build for himself a political career through his service to the realm.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
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