Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Japanese, 1798-1861
from the series: Ukiyo-e Parables for Chapters of Genji,
1843-1845
Publisher illegible
With seal of censor Watanabe Jiyeman
Nishiki-e (color woodblock print)
Oban format
Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi
Museum Collection
The Tale of the Genji, written by Lady Murasaki in the
10th
century, is one of the great novels of world literature,
resembling Proust in sensitivity and psychological depth. It has
strongly influenced both the life and art of Japan and has had
stage versions. The novel is about the largely amorous
adventures of Prince Genji and his many lovers, and explores the
meaning of every nuance of courtly manners, making heroic
tragedy out of etiquette. Communication between men and women is
often through love poems. Fidelity and betrayal in love are
closely allied. In this print, Kuniyoshi has evaded recent harsh
censorship laws against depicting stage actors by putting the
Genji tale into contemporary terms. The lady, for instance, is
dressed like the courtesans so popular in color prints of the
time. The Japanese writing in the inset at the top is made to
appear like the beginning of a scroll. The paper of the scroll
is decorated to recall the elegantly designed paper of early
Genji scrolls. Thus, the lady in the print seems to have come
alive from the words of the novel. Kuniyoshi and others seem
almost modern in their ability to cross the barrier between art
and reality. Although words like "machismo" and "patriarchy"
have been used to describe its cultural traditions, especially
those of the Tokugawa period, Japanese culture has nourished
many great women writers and poets in its persistently
harmonious genius. Japanese women have thus achieved heroism
through art and the art of life.
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