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Suma (Suma) Chapter 12

Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
Suma (Suma) Chapter 12
Suma (Suma) Chapter 12
Suma (Suma) Chapter 12
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Category
Library Item
Item no
16204
Title
Suma (Suma) Chapter 12 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
In this print, Mitsuuji (Genji) is seated by a Japanese zither (koto) and behind him a secret policeman, dressed in black, approaches with a drawn sword. Mitsuuji has raised his fan to halt his would-be attacker. A pillow lies to the left, and behind them both is a folding screen decorated with sea grasses.

The motif of the geese flying across a full moon indicates that the season is autumn.

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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