Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 31 – right sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Chapter 31 (1839) – the source of inspiration for this diptych
Title: Otome (乙女) – right sheet square cartouche – this would be chapter twenty one in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: Kumoinojo (right sheet) longing to be with Karigane (left sheet) but separated from her by a standing screen (tsuitate) decorated with a pair of mandarin ducks, traditional symbol of a loyal couple
Artist: Toyokuni III (Kunisada)
Siganature: Toyokuni ga
Date: 1857, 12th 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, gauffrage or blind printing), Nunomezuri (textile weave printing), Kirazuri (mica printing) printing techniques
Price: USD 550
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p 147