Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 37 – right sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Chapter 37 (1841) – the source of inspiration for this diptych
Title: Yokobue (横笛) – left sheet square cartouche – this is chapter thirty seven in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: Tamakazura (right sheet) holds Mitsuuji’s sword and laughs, as Mitsuuji (left sheet) reads aloud and laughs at a poem and gift that Beni has sent him
Artist: Toyokuni III (Kunisada)
Siganature: Toyokuni ga
Date: 1861, 5th 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
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: SOLD
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p 148