Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 7 – left sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Chapter 7 (1832) – the source of inspiration for this diptych
Title: Momiji no ga (紅葉賀) – right sheet square cartouche – this is chapter seven in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: Mitsuuji (left sheet) surrenders his outer garments and sword to the nun Karukaya (right sheet) before meeting with Fuji no Kata (we see her holding his garment and sword). With said props in hand, Karukaya proceeds to disguise herself as him
Artist: Toyokuni III (Kunisada)
Siganature: Toyokuni ga
Date: 1858, 2nd month
Censor: NA
Publisher: Hayashiya Shōgorō (林屋庄五郎) ca 1845 – 1863
Block cutter: Yokogawa Takejiro
Size: Oban diptych, each sheet 36.7 cm x 25.2 cm
Condition: Very good impression, good colour – some fading, and very good condition
Look for: As with all the prints in this series, it is printed on thick paper, and in this print you will see; over-printing, Bokashi (gradation), Karazuri (embossing or blind printing),Tsuyazuri – specifically shomenzuri (burnishing) printing techniques
Price: USD 550
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p139