Scenes from the Lady Murasaki Shikibu's 11th century novel, The Tale of Genji have been illustrated many times in paintings, prints, lacquer ware and ceramics. Kunichika was not the first artist to publish a series of prints based on The Tale of Genji. In fact, his teacher Kunisada had produced many print series on the Prince Genji theme. Kunichika's title "Fifty-Four Modern Feelings" is actually a play on words: the pronunciation of the kanji characters for prince Genji from "The Tale of Genji", has the same pronunciation as the kanji characters for the word meaning "contemporary times" (genji).

Fifty-Four Chapters of Modern Genji
by Toyohara Kunichika
Artist:
Toyohara Kunichika
Print Title:
Chapter 15
Series Title:
Fifty-Four Chapters of Modern Genji
Date:
c1884
Publisher:
Takekawa Seikichi
Sheet Size:
Oban, approx. 37 x 24cm
Condition:
Very good condition. Original Meiji-era album backing and margin trimming. Minor marks. No tears, folds, or foxing. See large image below.
Item Code:
Kunichika-05
Price:
$230
Detail Images:
Large image
Comments: This print is from one of the more popular oban series by Kunichika, also titled "Fifty-Four Modern Feelings (Matched with the Fifty-Four Chapters of Genji)". Published by Takegawa Seikichi, and carved by Asai Ginjiro in ca. 1884.
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