Series title: Genji goshū yojō (源氏後集余情) Lasting impressions of a late Genji collection
Chapter: 34 – right sheet square cartouche – referencing in this instance the book ‘A Rustic Genji’ (Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji) Chapter 34 (1840) – the source of inspiration for this diptych
Title: Wakana no jō (若菜上) – left sheet square cartouche – this is chapter thirty four in Murasaki Shikibu’s book ‘The Tale of Genji’ Genji Monogatari (源氏物語)
Description: Ashikaga Mitsuuji …..
Artist: Toyokuni III (Kunisada)
Siganature: Toyokuni ga
Date: 1858, 2nd month
Censor: NA
Publisher: Wakasaya Yoichi (若狹屋与市), ca 1794 – 1897
Block cutter: NA
Size: Oban diptych, each sheet 34.5 cm x 24.2 cm
Condition: Very good impression and colour, good condition, some minute wormholes, and some trimming top and left
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 400
References: Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock Prints; Andreas Marks p 147