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The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1
The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1
The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1
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Category
Library Item
Item no
16201
Title
The Paulownia Pavilion (Kiritsubo) Chapter 1 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
The print depicts two women dressed in contemporary 19th century Edo fashions.The younger of the two women wears elaborate hairpins and her red kimono is decorated with a cherry blossom pattern that suggests spring and youthfulness. The older woman wears her hair in a more conservative style and her garment bears a chrysanthemum design. This particular flower is usually associated with the autumn months. A waterfall pattern decorates the back wall of the room, perhaps suggesting the building's dilapidated condition. The older woman holds up a lantern and appears to lead the way as she crosses the room. She is shown making an exaggerated stepping movement that reveals her white 'tabi' socks, this gesture may be borrowed from Kabuki theatre.
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). Prince Genji or 'the Shining Lord' (hikaru kimi) from Murasaki Shikibu's novel is reinvented by Tanehiko and renamed Ashikaga Mitsuuji (Shining Clan). In 'A Rustic Genji' the Kiritsubo Intimate is recreated in the character of Hanagiri. In Chapter 1, Hanagiri's former servant Sugibae (Myobu in 'Genji')), visits Hanagiri's bereaved mother.
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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