{"product_id":"antique-japanese-print-by-utagawa-kunisada-dated-1852","title":"1850s Japanese Print by Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - 1865). The Colour Print Contest of a Modern Genji. Dated 1852","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a mid-19th century Edo Period print by the Japanese woodblock artist Utagawa Kunisada (also known as Toyokuni III) . It is titled: Chapter 20, Asagao (The Bluebell) from the series The Colour Print Contest of a Modern Genji.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print shows a Japanese lady \u003cspan\u003edressed in a pale pink kimono. She is seated on a floor cushion next to a low table. She reads from a scroll as she hands a short sword (wakizashi) to Mitsuuji (the Genji). The sword has been wrapped in a golden edged ornate fabric. Mitsuuji wears a grey-blue kimono that bears his crest of crossed cloves. Behind him there is a large bright blue folding screen decorated with summer flowers and insects. Almost hidden behind the screen is a square based lamp stand with a pink shade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eEach print in the series illustrates a scene from a chapter in the beloved Geni Tale. It is considered one of the greatest works of Japanese literature - \u003cspan\u003epenned by Lady Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe story was considered a classic and historical one in Japan. It has been considered one of the greatest works of Japanese literature, and has been read from generation to generation over the past thousand years. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\"\u003eIn the Edo Period, Ryutei Tanehiko adapted this ancient The Tale of Genji into a picture book called ‘The Rustic Genji,’ thereby attracting more people to the work. It had illustrations by Kunisada.  Each print illustrates a scene from a chapter in Murasaki's Tale. Wonderful views of court life and travel during various seasons are documented with charming detail in the elegant clothing and settings.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe images were all created for the smaller chuban size and the series comprises of 54 designs, each corresponding to a chapter of the renowned Genji novel (originally ). The series includes a title and a back page. While the individual prints lack the series title, it is found on the cover page, indicating that the series may have been originally published as an album.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy woodblock print is in the vertical chuban format and the image size measures 17 x 24.5 cm. It has been given a new fresh museum quality window mount (but sold unframed so you can inspect the back of the print outside of a frame). This measures 28 x 29.5 cm.  I have taken lots of images for your inspection. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn impression of this print is in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, USA. I have listed my one at a fair price. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt will be sent to you with Royal Mail Tracked and Signed for (Medium Parcel) post. This will be applied to your order at the checkout. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Iconic Edinburgh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56134889636219,"sku":"Plan Chest Drawer 2","price":175.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0271\/1902\/6240\/files\/1850s-japanese-print-by-utagawa-kunisada-1786-1865-the-colour-contest-of-a-modern-genji-dated-1852-international-art-712.webp?v=1787556186","url":"https:\/\/www.iconicedinburgh.co.uk\/products\/antique-japanese-print-by-utagawa-kunisada-dated-1852","provider":"Iconic Edinburgh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}