Skip to content
Home
Favourites
0
Advanced search
Shopping cart
0
Register
Log in
Images of Edinburgh
Browse map
Area A - Z
Browse by date
Exhibitions
Current exhibition
All exhibitions
Collections
About the collections
Browse by theme
Subject A - Z
The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries
Images of Edinburgh
Browse map
Area A - Z
Browse by date
Exhibitions
Current exhibition
All exhibitions
Collections
About the collections
Browse by theme
Subject A - Z
Subject matches "Headdresses" or its children
Back to search results
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
Item
of 98
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8
Add to favourites
Share
Item record
About this image
Related
Location
Category
Library Item
Item no
16253
Title
Under the Cherry Blossoms (Hana no En) Chapter 8 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
A woman wearing an elaborate flower garland headdress collects petals in a bowl. Mitsuuji (Genji) is seated at her feet and holds a folding fan with a wave design. Mitsuuji is easily identified by his lobster tail topknot which he ties with a purple cord. The woman's garment shows an effective use of overprinting (purple upon red) to suggest the texture of her gown. The couple are positioned on a wooden bridgeway beneath pink cherry blossom.
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
The following information appears on this print:
Signed: Toyokuni ga
Censors' seals: Fuku and Muramatsu (1849-53)
Date seal: Rat year, intercalary month (1852)
Kyoka poem
Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Hana no En', Chapter 8. In this chapter the Emperor holds a party to honour the cherry trees that grow before the Shinshinden. Fujitsubo, the Kokiden Consort and the Heir Apparant attend. A Chinese poetry contest takes place and Genji outshines his rivals. Genji tries to gain access to Fujitsubo's quarters but fails as Fujitsubo is wisely keeping apart from Genji so that no one should suspect Genji of being the real father to her child. While inside the women's quarters Genji hears a lady humming the song Oborozukiyo and seduces her. She is the Kokiden Consort's sixth sister, engaged to be married to the Heir Apparent. Genji and Oborozukiyo find the opportunity to meet again at an archery contest and wisteria blossom party hosted by the lady's father. Oborozukiyo is the daughter of Genji's political enemy.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
Other views of this item
Related images
Related subjects
Clothing and dress
>
Accessories
>
Fans
Clothing and dress
>
Accessories
>
Hairstyles
Clothing and dress
>
Accessories
>
Headdresses
Clothing and dress
>
Garments
>
Dresses
Clothing and dress
>
Garments
>
Kimonos
People
>
Adults
>
Men
People
>
Adults
>
Women
Places
>
Asia
>
Japan
Plants
>
Trees
>
Cherry trees
More like this
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital File
Electronic file 72 dpi JPEG
£6.10
(inc. VAT 20%)
Add
Digital File
Electronic File 300 dpi TIFF
£31.00
(inc. VAT 20%)
Add
You can view and use digital images for personal and educational use. For more information, read our
policy on image use
.
If you wish to use our images for commercial use, please
contact us
.