| Title: |
Paulownia Court: Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji (Kiritsubo: Buyu nazoraye Genji), Takeshiuchi-no-Sukune (Takenouchi no Sukune), carrying a young boy, the future, Emperor Ojin |
| Artist: |
Kuniyoshi, Ichiyasai (Japan, 1798 - 1861) |
| Date: |
1844 & 1847 |
| Medium: |
Original Japanese Woodcut |
| Publisher: |
Ibaya Senzaburo (Iba-ya Sensaburo) |
| Source: |
Buyu nazoraye Genji (Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji) |
| Signature: |
Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga |
| Note: |
"Kuniyoshi was a master of many facets but in the fields of legend and history he reigns supreme. His is the work that forms the yardstick against which all others are judged." *
|
| |
Mid nineteenth century Ukiyo-e art is best represented in its three most illustrious artists. The woodcuts of Hokusai and Hiroshige are permanently linked to the greatest images in Japanese landscape art. Yet the third master artist, Kuniyoshi, was equally adept at landscape, satire and in his famous legend and warrior prints, of which this is a classic example. |
| |
A student of Toyokuni, Kuniyoshi in his art has always seemed more akin to Western thought and style than any other Golden Age Japanese master. He was, after all, the first to attempt consolidating Western temperament and themes into his art, usually with remarkable success. |
| |
Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi's finest art was created from the 1830's and into the later years of the 1850's. After that date continuing ill health left its mark. His most famous works draw from legend and history which gave him the imaginative vehicle to portray a vast spectrum of human emotions. His influence on the course of the Japanese woodcut was enormous and was directly passed on in the Meji era to his best student, Yoshitoshi. |
| |
This original Kuniyoshi woodcut hails from the series entitled, Buyu nazoraye Genji (Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji), Chapter One: 'Kiritsubo (Paulownia Court), a scene with Takeshiuchi-no-Sukune (Takenouchi no Sukune), carrying the infant Emperor Ojin on his shoulders, See: Robinson, Kuniyoshi: The Warrior - Prints, 1982, #S28. Prince Genji is one of the greatest heroes of Japanese folklore and his legend is chronicled on a number of occasions by Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi. In this series, Kuniyoshi created an illustrated adaptation of the 11th century classic, Tales of Prince Genji, liberally borrowing scenes from the lives of legendary figures. Composed by the Lady-in waiting, Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 - c. 1014 / 1025), The Tales of Prince Genji (Genji Monogatari), was a novel written in classical Japanese literature portraying the eleventh century Japanese court culture of the Heian period (794 - 1185). It follows the exploits and romances of the "Shining Prince Genji" (Hikaru Genji, son of Emperor Kiritsubo and his favoured lady, Kiritsubo). The British Museum of Art, London includes an impression of Takeshiuchi-no-Sukune carrying the infant Emperor Ojin on his shoulders in its permanent collection, Registration number: 2008,3037.05508. |
| |
The legendary figure, Takeshiuchi-no-Sukune (Takenouchi no Sukune), was a statesman and advisor who served as the Grand Minister to the Regent Jingu and the guardian of her son, the future Emperor Ojin. It has been suggested that the legendary Emperor Ojin (Homutawake), was the son of Empress consort Jingu, and her husband, Emperor Chuai. Takenouchi no Sukune is attributed with an extraordinary long life of over two hundred years and is now considered the kami of good health and longevity. Takenouchi no Sukune is enshrined in Ube Shrine in Iwami District in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. In this scene Kuniyoshi depicts Takeshiuchi-no-Sukune (as an old man), with the boy, Emperor Ojin on his shoulders at Paulownia Court. One should here take note of both the brilliant colouration and the captivating expression on the face of the old man. This is a wonderfully moving scene that only the genius of Ichiyasai Kuniyoshi could delineate. |
| Reference: |
* Richard Illing, The Art of Japanese Prints, Gallery Books, New York, 1983, pp. 120-122. |
| Size: |
Otanzakuban 6 1/4 x 14 1/4 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.) |
| |
Framed and Matted with 100% Archival Materials |
| |
View larger Framed Image |
| |
 |
| Buy Now |
Price: $895.00 US |
| Condition: |
Printed upon mid-nineteenth century mulberry (rice) paper and with full margins as published by Ibaya Senzaburo (Iba-ya Sensaburo) between 1844 and 1847. There are several holes have been restored by a previous owner along the upper margins, else a fine, bright printing and bearing the wood grain one only sees in a very early impression. This is a beautiful, original example from Kuniyoshi's famous series, Buyu nazoraye Genji (Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji). |
| Important Information: |
The artist biographies, research and or information pertaining to all the original works of art posted on our pages has been written and designed by Greg & Connie Peters exclusively for our site, (www.artoftheprint.com). Please visit us regularly to view the latest artworks offered for sale. We will soon be posting an update of our most recent research and include the biographical and historical information pertaining to our next collection of original works of art created by artists throughout the centuries. We hope you found the information you were looking for and that it has been beneficial.
Our Gallery, (Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com) guarantees the authenticity of every work of art we sell 100%. Full documentation and certification is provided. We offer a wide selection of international fine art dating from the early Renaissance to the contemporary art period. |
or
phone Greg & Connie (905) 957-6666
