About This Print
In this scene from chapter 10, Sakaki, Prince Genji, now 25 years old, visits Hanachirusato, the younger sister of Reikeiden, barely visible on the right. Genji, whose star is on the wane, was once intimate with her and decides to visit her to console himself.
Source: The Tale of Genji, Lady Murasaki, Dead Authors Society, 2018
Genji's troubles, which he had brought upon himself, were nothing new.... Among the old emperor's ladies had been one Reikeiden. She had no children, and after his [the emperor's] death her life was sadly straitened. It would seem that only Genji remembered her. A chance encounter at court, for such was his nature, had left him with persistent thought of her younger sister. He paid no great attention to her, however, and it would seem that life was as difficult for her as for her sister. Now, in his own despondency, his thought turned more fondly to the girl, a victim if ever there was one of evanescence and hostile change. Taking advantage of a rare break in the early-summer rains, he went to call on her.
For an excellent introduction to The Tale of Genji see Penguin's "Short Summary of the Tale" at https://www.penguin.com/static/packages/us/taleofgenji/introduction3.php
About The Album
For information about the album please go to Hahakigi (chapter 2) from the album Illustrations for Genji monogatari in Fifty-Four Wood-Cut Prints on this site.
Print Details
| IHL Catalog | #2452 |
| Title or Description |  variously translated as The Village of Falling Flowers, The Orange Blossoms, Falling Flowers, The Lady at the Villa of Scattering Orange Blossoms |
| Series | Illustrations for Genji monogatari in Fifty-Four Wood-Cut Prints 木版画源氏五十四帖 Mokuhanga Genji gojūyonjō |
| Artist | Ebina Masao (1913-1980) |
| Signature | not signed |
| Seal | 正夫 Masao |
| Publication Date | 1953 or after (originally issued 1953; multiple editions are known) |
| Publisher | Yamada Shoin 山田書院 |
| Carver | carving supervised by Yoshio Kawamo [Kawatsura Yoshio 川面義雄 (1880-1963)] |
| Printer | |
| Impression | excellent |
| Colors | excellent |
| Condition | excellent - light mat toning 1/8" into image four sides |
| Genre | genji-e |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Format | ōban |
| H x W Paper | 8 13/16 x 12 1/2 in. (22.4 x 31.8 cm) |
| H x W Image | 8 3/8 x 12 1/16 in. (21.3 x 30.6 cm) |
| Collections This Print | Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College 2010.1.8; University of Kansas Libraries KU Bib ID: 4123242 (entire portfolio; images not shown); National Diet Library Call Number 913.36-E17g-K (entire portfolio dated 1958; images not shown) |
| Reference Literature | |
3/24/2021 created
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