Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 26 – right sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Chapter 26 (1838) – the source of inspiration for this diptych
Title: Tokonatsu (常夏)- left sheet square cartouche – this is chapter 26 in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: Asagiri (right sheet) holds Princess Akashi, the daughter she has had with Mitsuuji (left sheet)
Artist: Toyokuni III (Kunisada)
Siganature: Toyokuni ga
Date: 1858, 9th month
Censor: NA
Publisher: Wakasaya Yoichi (若狹屋与市), ca 1794 – 1897
Block cutter: NA
Size: Oban diptych, each sheet 36.7 cm x 25.2 cm
Condition: Very good impression, colour, and condition, some fading and tiny worm holes, some repaired
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, gauffrage or blind printing),Tsuyazuri – specifically shomenzuri (burnishing) printing techniques
Price: Not for sale at this stage
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p146