Kuniyoshi: Chapter Wakana II (Wakana no ge) (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: Chapter Wakana II (Wakana no ge)
Series: Matching with Clouds of Flooting World in Genji (Genji kumo ukiyo-e awase)
Date: 1842-46

Komae in the shape of a handscroll on the top shows a chapter from “Genji Monogatari,” Wakana II, and a waka poem of the chapter. Below as the mitate (comparison) a historical story is written. A cat plays with a toy within the cartouche. From the Kabuki piece “Sugawara denju tenarai kagami,” the story of Sakuramaru and his wife, Yae is depicted. Yae, seated in front of a cherry tree, has collected spring plants which lie on the cloth on the ground as she prepares to grind them. She has a wooden grinder in her right hand and the bowl lies on the ground. The text tells a sad situation of handsome Sakuramaru and his wife, Yae.

Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Iseya Ichibei
Seal: Censor’s:Murata Heiemon (single seal 1842-46)
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUY199