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The Warbler's First Song (Hatsune) Chapter 23

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
The Warbler's First Song (Hatsune) Chapter 23
The Warbler's First Song (Hatsune) Chapter 23
The Warbler's First Song (Hatsune) Chapter 23
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Category
Library Item
Item no
16216
Title
The Warbler's First Song (Hatsune) Chapter 23 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
A woman and a young girl are shown seated together. The woman wears an elaborate floral headdress that links her to the kneeling figure depicted in Tamakazura, Chapter 22. Her outer kimono is decorated with a pattern of red maple leaves suggesting that the season is autumn. Her under kimono is a pale pink colour. She holds aloft a pine branch upon which a small green bird is perched.
By her side, there is a young girl with a blue flower in her hair. She is seated on a thick cushion and appears to be reading from a scroll of paper. In front of her there stands a small black lacquer box decorated with a golden floral motif and a small brazier containing red coals. The brazier is patterned with a design inspired by the sea.
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
Location
Art and Design Library
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG
£5.80(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF
£29.40(inc. VAT 20%)
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