Toyokuni I: Yugiri Raising his Fan in the Evening glow from Tales of Genji (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Toyokuni I 豊国画 (1769-1825)
Title: Evening Mist, Evening Glow  (Yuugiri sekishoo)夕霧　夕照
Series: Eight Views: Tales of Genji 
Date: ca 1820

In the evening glow before sunset,  Yuugiri is standing on the edge of verandah, holding his fan as if he is calling far away for Ochibano-miya, the woman whom he is in love with. In the garden with hills and water and some resting deer, the trees are reflecting its glow. On the other hand, in a poetic touch we see the flowers of the fall in the inner garden in front of him, hagi (bushclover), kiku (chrysanthemum), and ominaeshi (Patrinia Scabiosaefolia) are blooming, as if they reflect his autumnal sadness.

The young Yûgiri raises his fan as two deer are seen across the marsh beneath blooming cherry trees. This is Chapter 36, Yuugiri夕霧, from the Tale of Genji.

Here is a translation of the original waka poem:

Yamazato-no awareto sofuru yuugirini/ Tachiiden sora-mo naki kokoroshite.

“An evening mist/ how shall I find my way/ makes sadder yet; a lonely mountain village."

Ms. Michiko Sato-Grube’s reading of this print:

Yamazato-no awareto sofuru yuugirini/ Emun kata-mo na naki kokoroshite.

“How shall I find my heart for a smile” 

The poet of this print seems to have quoted the first half of the original waka poem, namely 5-7-5 syllables and then added the variation for the last 7-7 syllables. 

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Hinging remnants, verso.
Dimensions: chuban (25.7 x 19.3 cm)
Publisher: Izumaya Ichibei
Signature: Utagawa Toyokuni ga

SKU: TOK052