Chapter 45 Fifty-Four Chapters of Modern Genji by Toyohara Kunichika

Artist: Toyohara Kunichika Print Title: Chapter 45 Series Title: Fifty-Four Chapters of Modern Genji Date: c1884 Publisher: Takekawa Seikichi Sheet Size: Oban, approx. 37.5 x 25.3cm Condition: Very good condition. Rarely seen full size; Unbacked; Strong barron rubbings. No tears, stains, creases, folds, or foxing. One small paper rub at centre. See large image below. Item Code: Kunichika-11 Price: $250 SOLD Detail Images: Large image Comments: This is the most beautiful scene from this series. 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. 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).