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The Floating Bridge of Dreams, Chapter 54
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
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The Floating Bridge of Dreams, Chapter 54
The Floating Bridge of Dreams, Chapter 54
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Item no
16250
Title
The Floating Bridge of Dreams, Chapter 54 (Yume no Ukihashi) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
Prince Mitsuuji (Genji) is depicted slumbering on a floor mattress and cushions. In the dream that hovers in a cloud above his head, one can see Mitsuuji in the company of a young woman enjoying a punt on the river in a boat with a phoenix-headed prow. On the floor in front of Mitsuuji's mattress is a picture of the Seven Lucky Gods (shichifukujin) sailing in the Treasure Ship (takarabune). This image was popular during the New Year/ Spring Festival and it was believed that if a person slept with a picture like this under their pillow on the first night of the New Year it would bring them luck. Mitsuuji's dream provides the viewer with a witty comparison (mitate) to this traditional picture of the Seven Lucky Gods. In Mitsuuji's dream boat are items associated with the gods. Bishamonten's green hat is clearly visible and the woman may represent Benzaiten, the only female god amongst the seven.
Mitsuuji's hair has been styled in his lobster tail topknot fastened with purple cord. His underkimono is white with a purple and blue grey border. The outerkimono is a purple fabric decorated with a phoenix pattern, and pleated red fabric forms a ruff around his neck.
Behind Mitsuuji stands a folding screen decorated with a pine, bamboo and plum (shochikubai) motif. This combination of plants was known as the gentleman-scholar's 'winter friends'. A sword sheaved in a black and gold lacquer case rests in a vertical sword stand in front of the screen. To Mitsuuji's left, upon the floor, are a number of serving dishes containing food. The pine, bamboo and plum motif, and the use of a branch of pine to ornament the food, are indications of the festive time of year. One of these containers bears a Genji-mon; a linear design made from incense sticks which refers to a particular chapter from Murasaki Shikibu's 'Tale of Genji'.
This image derives from the serial novel, 'A Fake Murasaki and a Rustic Genji' written by Ryutei Tanehiko and illustrated by Utagawa Kunisada.
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', 'Yume no Ukihashi', Chapter 54. In this chapter, Kaoru visits His Reverence at Yokawa and enquires after the young woman (Ukifune) who has recently received the Precepts. His Reverence realises that the woman is important to Kaoru and regrets his involvement in making her a nun. He describes the circumstances under which Ukifune joined his party and how they had discovered her half dead and under the influence of an evil spirit. Kaoru asks His Reverence to take him to Ukifune but His Reverence makes an excuse and delays this encounter. Ukifune spots a large escort in the distance and is informed that it is Kaoru's men returning to the City after a meeting with His Reverence. The next day, Kaoru sends Ukifune's younger half brother as a messenger to speak to her. However, Ukifune does want her brother see her in her changed state. Ukifune's half brother delivers a romantic letter from Kaoru which distresses Ukifune deeply. When Ukifune refuses to respond to the letter, the nuns explain that Ukifune is still unwell and confused. Kaoru regrets trying to contact Ukifune and jealously suspects that Niou may be hiding her there. After some consideration Kaoru decides to leave Ukifune to continue living her life invisibly as a nun.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
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