Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 24 – right sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Chapter 24 (1837) – the source of inspiration for this diptych
Title: Kocho (胡蝶) – left sheet square cartouche – this is chapter twenty four in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: As Karaginu (left sheet) emerges from a rustic palanquin, Mitsuuji (right sheet) peers inside and discovers a letter tied to a maple branch.
Artist: Toyokuni III (Kunisada)
Siganature: Toyokuni ga
Date: 1859, 2nd month
Censor: NA
Publisher: Ebisuya Shōshichi (恵比寿屋庄七), ca 1846 – 1883
Block cutter: Sugawa Sennosuke
Size: Oban diptych, each sheet 36.7 cm x 25.2 cm
Condition: Very good impression, good colour, 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) printing techniques
Price: USD 550
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p145