Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 13 (incorrectly?) – left sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Chapter 12 (1834) – the source of inspiration for this diptych. Possibly due to the previous 2 diptychs being drawn from chapter 11 (and both numbered 11, rather than 11 and 12), the printers inadvertently numbered this print 13
Title: Aoi (葵) – right sheet square cartouche – this is chapter nine in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: Ashikaga Mitsuuji (right sheet) in the pleasure quarters with the intention of visiting Akogi, hears that Katsuragi is in the room above. Ever the scally wag he hides under a robe to escape from Akogi (left sheet) and exchanges some poetry with Katsuragi, before the jealous Akogi catches up with him.
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
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 650
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p140