Original Japanese woodblock print – Utagawa Kunisada Toyokuni III – Suzumushi, Chapter 38 of The Tale of Genji – Edo 1852

Print type: Genji-e 源氏絵 (print inspired by The Tale of Genji)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞, also known as Toyokuni III 三代歌川豊国

Signature: 豊国画 Toyokuni ga, in a toshidama 年玉枠 cartouche

Title of work: 鈴虫 三十八 Suzumushi, sanjūhachi “Chapter 38, Suzumushi”

Series: 今源氏錦絵合 Ima Genji nishiki-e awase “A Contest of Polychrome Prints of the Modern Genji”, based on the Genji Monogatari 源氏物語

📅 Date of publication: 1852, Kaei 5, 5th month — Edo period

Censor seals: Hama 浜 and Magome 馬込, with date seal 子五, Year of the Rat, 5th month

Publisher: Sanoya Kihei 佐野屋喜兵衛, mark Sanoki 佐野喜

Technique: Nishiki-e 錦絵, polychrome woodblock print with karazuri 空摺り (embossing)

📏 Format: Chūban 中判, vertical Tate-e — 24.5 cm x 17.2 cm

Origin: Japan, Edo period, discovered in Tokyo Prefecture

About the artist:

Utagawa Kunisada I (1786–1865), a major figure of Edo-period ukiyo-e, belonged to the great Utagawa school. A student of Toyokuni I, he adopted the name Toyokuni in 1844, now referred to as Toyokuni III. Highly regarded for his actor portraits, bijin-ga, and literary scenes, Kunisada also created many images inspired by the Genji Monogatari. The series Ima Genji nishiki-e awase, published between 1852 and 1854 by Sanoya Kihei, comprises fifty-four compositions corresponding to the fifty-four chapters of the famous novel.

Subject:

This print illustrates Suzumushi 鈴虫, Chapter 38 of the Genji Monogatari, the Tale of Genji, a masterpiece of Japanese literature attributed to Murasaki Shikibu. However, Kunisada does not literally depict the Heian court: he transposes the theme into the popular Edo world associated with the Genji version: Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji.

The man is Ashikaga Mitsuuji, the popular double of Hikaru Genji. He stands in an autumn garden with two young women wearing kushi & kanzashi (combs and hairpins), each holding a cricket cage. The blue irises on his garment, the grasses, the singing insects, and the beautifully printed kimonos place the scene within the aesthetic of Edo-period Genji-e.

The Suzumushi chapter depicts the singing crickets released in the garden of the Third Princess, who has become a nun. Their song accompanies the poetry and melancholy of autumn.

The cartouche contains a kyōka poem signed by Arikado 有門, from Tochigi, Shimotsuke province:

「草の葉におく露のみかこゑさへもころかしてなく野へのすゝむし」

“Kusa no ha ni / oku tsuyu nomi ka / koe sae mo / korogashite naku / nobe no suzumushi.”

“Upon the blades of grass, it is not only the dew that rolls: the bell cricket in the field seems to make even its voice roll as it cries.”

The background of the cartouche retains beautiful karazuri, a dry embossing perceptible in the paper.

Condition:

Excellent general condition for an original 1852 print, with beautiful colors, a sharp impression, and well-preserved paper. The karazuri of the cartouche is clearly visible. The bottom margin is slightly trimmed, but all seals, publisher marks, and inscriptions remain visible.

🦝 Our opinion:

We love this print with its autumn colors by the great Kunisada. This series is superb; Kunisada is truly the master at representing scenes from the Tale of Genji in the taste of the Edo period. Exquisite kimonos, a renowned series, and exceptional condition make this a fantastic piece!

An authentic work, ideal for enthusiasts of ukiyo-e, Genji-e, the Tale of Genji, Kunisada, original Japanese prints, and ancient Japanese art.