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The Fireflies (Hotaru) Chapter 25
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
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The Fireflies (Hotaru) Chapter 25
The Fireflies (Hotaru) Chapter 25
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Item no
16218
Title
The Fireflies (Hotaru) Chapter 25 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
This print depicts a woman kneeling beside a low bamboo screen surrounded by fireflies. She shields her face from the light with a fan decorated with Genji-mon, a pattern made from incense sticks arranged to correspond with a particular chapter from Murasaki's 'Tale of Genji'. The woman wears a blue kimono decorated with grape vines, and a red starburst patterned obi belt. In front of her is the little box from which the fireflies have escaped. Behind the screen Mitsuuji (Genji) peers closely at the woman, as if to examine her face in the light of the fireflies. Mitsuuji wears a purple outer kimono decorated with a crest and a pale blue under kimono. In his hands he holds a closed fan.
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: Fuku and Muramatsu (1849-53)
Date seal: Rat year, intercalary month (1852)
Kyoka poem
Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Hotaru', Chapter 25. In this chapter, Genji arranges for a meeting to take place between Tamakazura (his adopted daughter) and the Highness of War (Genji's brother). It amuses Genji to hear another man's attempts at courtship. The couple do not meet face to face but, according to Heian convention, are divided by silk gauze curtains and have their communication conveyed through messengers. In order to liven up this encounter, Genji unexpectedly releases a swarm of fireflies from a box which illuminates Tamakazura's face. The Highness of War is even more enraptured by her after this brief glimpse of her concealed beauty. Celebrations and an archery contest takes place to mark the Sweet Flag (Iris) Festival day. Tamakazura continues to try to fend off Genji's amorous advances.
Genji's son Yugiri pines for Kumoi no Kari (one of To no Chujo's daughters), and Kashiwagi (To no Chujo's son) unwittingly tries to court his sister, Tamakazura. The chapter ends with To no Chujo wishing he had had more daughters and expressing hopes that one day he will be reunited with Tamakazura, whom he calls 'the pink'.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
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