Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 20 – left sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Volume 20 (1836) – the source of inspiration for this diptych
Title: Asagao (朝顔) The Bluebell – right sheet square cartouche – this would be chapter twenty in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: Asagiri (right sheet) is troubled how to reply to a love letter from Mitsuuji (left sheet), who is seated at a writing desk
Artist: Toyokuni III (Kunisada)
Siganature: Toyokuni ga
Date: 1858, 2nd month
Censor: NA
Publisher: Sakanaya Eikichi (魚屋栄吉) can also be referred to as Uoya Eikichi, ca 1855 – 1866
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 (burnishing or gloss printing) – specifically shomenzuri and nikawa-zuri printing techniques
Price: USD 550
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p144