Spring Shoots 1, Chapter 34 (Wakana 1)

Category

Library Item

Item no

16228

Title

Spring Shoots 1, Chapter 34 (Wakana 1) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")

Description

In this image two fashionably dressed women are shown walking in the snow. Both of the women wear many layers of kimono to keep warm and raised wooden clogs (geta) on their feet. One of the women wears blue flowers in her hair that has been elaborately styled with long hair pins (kogai). She wears a red floral patterned kimono with a blue obi belt that has been casually tied at her side. The woman to her left, dressed in a black kimono decorated with a 'crow gourd' flower motif, hands her companion some spring greens to be added to those already in a woven basket. The stone temple lantern to their left suggests that this scene takes place in a garden.

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: Rat year, 5th month (1852)
Kyoka poem

Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Wakana 1', Chapter 34. In this chapter the retired Emperor Suzaku becomes ill and decides to devote the remainder of his life to Buddhism in preparation for death. He is anxious about the future of his daughter, the Third Princess (Onna San no Miya), and decides to find her a suitable protector. The retired Emperor considers entrusting her to Yugiri but instead decides that Genji would be a more willing guardian. He considers, To no Chujo's eldest son, Kashiwagi, but decides that his rank is too low for his daughter. Onna San no Miya has her donning of the train ceremony. Genji agrees to be her patron and informs Murasaki that Onna San no Miya will be coming to live with them at Rokujo. Tamakazura invites Genji to partake of the New Year's spring shoots (seasonal greens). When Onna San no Miya joins Genji and becomes his wife, Genji discovers that she is childish and dull, quite the opposite of his Murasaki. Genji visits his former love, Oborozukiyo.
The Kiritsubo Consort, the daughter of Genji and the Akashi Lady, becomes pregnant and returns to Rokujo, accompanied by her mother. Murasaki meets with her rivals the Akashi Lady and Onna San no Miya and forms a harmonious relationship with them. Genji's 40th birthday is celebrated.
Rites are performed for the Kiritsubo Consort who gives birth to a boy. During this time she is attended to by her grandmother the Nun and it is through her that the Kiritsubo Consort learns of her humble background. The Lady of Akashi's father, the Akashi Novice, leaves his Buddhist chapel and retreats further into the mountains in preparation for death. He sends a final letter to his daughter and his wife, the Nun, which describes his prophetic vision of his daughter's destiny. The Akashi Lady gives the Kiritsubo Consort the Novice's last testament.
Kashiwagi and Yugiri continue to be interested in Onna San no Miya, the Third Princess. The young men gather at Rokujo and play a game of kickball. Both Kashiwagi and Yugiri catch sight of the Third Princess when her cat becomes entangled in its lead, and in its struggle to escape lifts the blind. Kashiwagi sends Onna San no Miya a poem.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hair ornaments

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hairstyles

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Shoes

Clothing and dress > Garments > Kimonos

Furnishings > Ornamentation > Lanterns

Landscape > Landscape architectural facilities > Gardens

Natural phenomena > Weather > Snow

People > Adults > Women

Places > Asia > Japan

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