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The Broom Tree (Hahakigi) Chapter 2
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1853, Wood cut
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The Broom Tree (Hahakigi) Chapter 2
The Broom Tree (Hahakigi) Chapter 2
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About this image
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Location
Category
Library Item
Item no
16212
Title
The Broom Tree (Hahakigi) Chapter 2 from the series "A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour Prints" ("Ima Genji nishiki-e awase")
Description
The print depicts an attractive young woman defensively holding up a woven lampshade. The male character, Mitsuuji (Genji), has approached her holding a branch of cherry blossom. The wax from a melted candle has tipped over and in the background a number of letters have been strewn across the floor. The woman is dressed in a red kimono tied at the front with an obi belt, her garment gapes open and reveals her thigh. This encounter takes places in a domestic interior setting. The sliding screen doors have been opened to display an engawa walkway, a cherry blossom tree in bloom and rippling water.
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).
In 'A Rustic Genji' there are many parallels with Murasaki Shikibu's 'Tale of Genji', one similarity being the close father-son relationship between Genji and the Emperor. In 'A Rustic Genji' Mitsuuji is the favoured son of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. Ashikaga Yoshimasa considers promoting Mitsuuji by confounding the rightful succession of the Heir Apparent, Yoshihisa. Mitsuuji, bound by loyalty to his older brother Yoshihisa, realises that he must ruin his own reputation in order to ensure the rightful and peaceful succession of Yoshihisa. Mitsuuji discredits himself by becoming the archetypal playboy entangled in numerous love affairs. When a precious sword, the Kogarasumaru (Little Crow), is stolen from the palace storehouse, Mitsuuji turns detective and uses his playboy persona as a cover for his activities as a secret investigator. 'A Rustic Genji' combines the popular genres of the romance novel and the detective story.
Artist / maker
Kunisada I (Toyokuni III)
Date
1853
Size
27.9 x 19.8 cm
Type
Wood cut
Location
Art and Design Library
The following information appears on this print:
Signed: Toyokuni ga
Censors' seals: Hama and Magome (1849-53)
Date seal: Ox year, 1st month (1853)
Kyoka poem
Murasaki Shikibu 'Tale of Genji', 'Hahakigi', Chapter 2.
Genji is married at the age of 12 to Aoi, daughter of his Excellency, the Minister of the Left. This does not prevent Genji from discretely engaging in numerous romantic affairs. Within this chapter, Genji, To no Chujo, the Chief Equerry and the Fujiwara Aide of Ceremonial gather together to discuss past loves. Women's virtues and flaws are analysed in order to discover what qualities an ideal wife should possess. On Genji's way from the palace he stops for the night at the Governor of Kii's residence and seduces Utsusemi, the Vice Governor of Iyo's wife. After their first encounter, Utsusemi avoids further contact with Genji and resists his advances.
Exhibitions with this item
'A Modern Collection of Genji in Colour'
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Clothing and dress
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Garments
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Kimonos
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Furniture
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Screens
Furnishings
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Ornamentation
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Light fixtures
Landscape
>
Water
>
Rivers and streams
People
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Adults
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Men
People
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Adults
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Women
Places
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Asia
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Japan
Plants
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Trees
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Cherry trees
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