歌川芳虎 Utagawa Yoshitora (active 1850-1870)
风流扇会
Elegant Fan Gathering
1869
木版画 | 纵绘大判 | 37cm x 25cm x 3
Woodblock-print | Oban-tate-e | 37cm x 25cm x 3
早期版次；颜色鲜艳；整体品相非常好，有几处轻微脏痕
Fine impression, strong color; a few spots of dirt, otherwise in good condition.
$1,200
The Tale of Genji, or Genji Monogatari, chronicled the amorous adventures of the young prince Genji during the Hainan period in Kyoto. Written by lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu it is considered to be the world’s first novel, filled with court intrigue, high society and numerous passionate romances unfolding like a scroll over decades.
In the 1800s a new serialized novel called “A Rustic Genji” brought Genji into the then-present. It became a popular Ukiyoe staple, with the recognizable young prince dressed in then modern-garb and enjoying all sorts of new delights. Kunisada (Toyokuni III) turned out quite a few “modern Genji” designs, including this wonderful triptych where the prince cavorts with topless abalone divers.
But here Utagawa Yoshitora brings us even further through time, plunking Genji down in a second-story bordello (apparently Gankiro House), overlooking Yokohama Bay. So much is happening here. In the distance, we see the ominous “black ships” – the Western steam- and sail-powered vessels that were then opening Japan to the west. We see one of Japan’s first Western-style buildings. But also, traditional sailboats dot the bay, beneath a classic Ukiyoe sunset.
In the room itself, in addition to four beauties, we see a collection of painted fans on the far wall, arranged almost is if they are dancing. According to the Philadelphia Art Museum, which has a wonderful Hiroshige II of the Gankiro House in its collection, this was the storied “fan room” in the brothel, then the largest in Yokohama. This art-within-art gives this wonderful design a certain meta modernity.
Modern Genji. Black ships. Beauties. Dancing fans. They all work together like pieces in a puzzle in this magical design.
歌川芳虎 Utagawa Yoshitora (active 1850-1870)
风流扇会
Elegant Fan Gathering
1869
木版画 | 纵绘大判 | 37cm x 25cm x 3
Woodblock-print | Oban-tate-e | 37cm x 25cm x 3
早期版次；颜色鲜艳；整体品相非常好，有几处轻微脏痕
Fine impression, strong color; a few spots of dirt, otherwise in good condition.
$1,200
The Tale of Genji, or Genji Monogatari, chronicled the amorous adventures of the young prince Genji during the Hainan period in Kyoto. Written by lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu it is considered to be the world’s first novel, filled with court intrigue, high society and numerous passionate romances unfolding like a scroll over decades.
In the 1800s a new serialized novel called “A Rustic Genji” brought Genji into the then-present. It became a popular Ukiyoe staple, with the recognizable young prince dressed in then modern-garb and enjoying all sorts of new delights. Kunisada (Toyokuni III) turned out quite a few “modern Genji” designs, including this wonderful triptych where the prince cavorts with topless abalone divers.
But here Utagawa Yoshitora brings us even further through time, plunking Genji down in a second-story bordello (apparently Gankiro House), overlooking Yokohama Bay. So much is happening here. In the distance, we see the ominous “black ships” – the Western steam- and sail-powered vessels that were then opening Japan to the west. We see one of Japan’s first Western-style buildings. But also, traditional sailboats dot the bay, beneath a classic Ukiyoe sunset.
In the room itself, in addition to four beauties, we see a collection of painted fans on the far wall, arranged almost is if they are dancing. According to the Philadelphia Art Museum, which has a wonderful Hiroshige II of the Gankiro House in its collection, this was the storied “fan room” in the brothel, then the largest in Yokohama. This art-within-art gives this wonderful design a certain meta modernity.
Modern Genji. Black ships. Beauties. Dancing fans. They all work together like pieces in a puzzle in this magical design.
