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
The Mayfly, Chapter 52 (Kagero)
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
Item
of 164
The Mayfly, Chapter 52 (Kagero)
The Mayfly, Chapter 52 (Kagero)
Add to favourites
Share
Item record
About this image
Related
Location
Category
Library Item
Item no
16248
Title
The Mayfly, Chapter 52 (Kagero) Chapter 52 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
Mitsuuji (Genji) is shown walking along a cliff top path under a full moon, a temple pagoda is visible in the distance. Mitsuuji raises a folding fan towards the sky. The fan is decorated with a picture of a mayfly, a reference to the title of this chapter from the 'Tale of Genji'. He is accompanied by two young children, a boy and a girl, who together play with a round fan that has been attached to a long pole. Mitsuuji wears his hair in a lobster tail topknot bound by purple cord and is dressed in a blue kimono and a purple outer jacket. The hilts of two swords are visible at his waist. During the Tokugawa era, double swords could only be worn by men of the samurai class. The children are dressed in bright geometrically patterned kimono.
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', 'Kagero', Chapter 52. In this chapter Ukifune goes missing and her closest attendants suspect that she has drowned herself. Niou's messenger, Tokikata, is told that Ukifune has suddenly died. After making further enquiries he learns that although a funeral will take place they have not discovered Ukifune's dead body. Ukifune's possessions are cremated to give the impression of a conventional funeral. Because Kaoru is on a retreat with his ill mother, he is not informed of Ukifune's death until some time later. Kaoru feels guilty for having moved Ukifune to the isolated house in Uji and for not having visited her more frequently. Niou's grief attracts the attention of the other courtiers and Kaoru pays Niou a visit. From observing the intensity of Niou's grief, Kaoru realises the depth of Niou's feelings for Ukifune and indirectly raises the subject of their affair. Niou has Jiju brought to him and questions her about her mistress' death. Kaoru visits the house in Uji and learns more about Ukifune's suspected suicide.
Kaoru is attracted to Kozaisho, gentlewoman to the First Princess. While spying on Kozaisho he discovers that the First Princess is a beauty, and becomes anxious that correspondence between his wife, the Second Princess, and the First Princess be renewed. Meanwhile, Niou finds solace in pursuing Miya no Kimi, a gentlewoman in the service of the Empress. Kaoru knows of Niou's affections for Miya no Kimi and chooses to court the same woman.
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
>
Garments
>
Kimonos
Military
>
Arms and armament
>
Daggers and swords
Natural phenomena
>
Astronomy
>
Moon
People
>
Adults
>
Men
People
>
Children
>
Boys
People
>
Children
>
Girls
Places
>
Asia
>
Japan
Religion
>
Religious facilities
>
Temples
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
.