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 "Daggers and swords" or its children
Back to search results
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune)
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
Item
of 164
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune)
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune)
Add to favourites
Share
Item record
About this image
Related
Location
Category
Library Item
Item no
16247
Title
A Drifting Boat, Chapter 51 (Ukifune) from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
This print depicts three figures travelling in a boat. All three figures wear layered clothing and head coverings to keep them warm. The central figure, Mitsuuji, is stood holding a closed umbrella. The double swords visible at his waist indicate that this character is of samurai class. Seated to his right and clutching an oar, is a woman dressed in a striped kimono and white head covering. The other two figures wear blue head coverings and purple kimono decorated with Genji-mon designs and Mitsuuji's family crest of cloves. The woman seated to Mitsuuji's left wears a voluminous red obi belt into which she has tucked a roll of tissues. A snowy landscape indicates that this scene takes place in the winter.
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: Aratame
Date seal: Tiger year, 2nd month (1854)
Kyoka poem
Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Ukifune', Chapter 51. In this chapter Ukifune is courted by Niou, her half sister's husband. Naka no Kimi refuses to reveal Ukifune's identity to Niou and he interprets her secrecy as jealousy. Kaoru, having moved Ukifune to the remote house in Uji, discovers that he cannot visit her as often as he would like and makes plans to mover her to the City.
Niou intercepts a letter from Uji intended for his wife's gentlewoman, and after questioning the messenger he discovers the whereabouts of Ukifune. Niou knows about Kaoru's numerous visits to Uji and concludes that Kaoru is secretly keeping Ukifune there. Determined to meet Ukifune again, Niou makes a secret trip to Uji. He gains admittance to the house by imitating Kaoru's voice and instructing the maids to dim the lamps.
In the morning light Ukifune's closest attendants are mortified to discover their error. However, in spite of their protests, Niou insists on staying with Ukifune another night and talks to Ukifune about moving her to another secret location where Kaoru cannot find her. Niou takes Ukifune by boat to Tokikata's uncle's house on the opposite bank so that he can enjoy her company in privacy.
Kaoru learns from his retainers that Niou has been visiting Ukifune and warns his guardsmen to be extra vigilant and not to allow anyone access to the house. Unable to decide between her two suitors, and ashamed of her distasteful situation, Ukifune begins to contemplate suicide. Ukifune's mother has ill-omened dreams about her daughter and makes donations to a temple to have scriptures read for her.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
Japanese Winter
Other views of this item
Related images
Related subjects
Clothing and dress
>
Accessories
>
Belts
Clothing and dress
>
Accessories
>
Hats
Clothing and dress
>
Accessories
>
Umbrellas
Clothing and dress
>
Garments
>
Kimonos
Military
>
Arms and armament
>
Daggers and swords
Natural phenomena
>
Weather
>
Snow
People
>
Adults
>
Men
People
>
Adults
>
Women
Places
>
Asia
>
Japan
Transport
>
Water
>
Boats
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
.