About This Print
In this scene from chapter 45, Hashihime (The Bridge Maiden), the two sisters of prince Hachi-no-miya, Oigimi and Naka-no-kimi, are stealing a glance at Prince Kaoru standing in the moonlight.
Source: The Tale of Genji, Lady Murasaki, Dead Authors Society, 2018
[Kaoru speaking] "For years I have been fascinated by stories I have heard of their [the princess sisters] playing, and this is my chance. Will there be somewhere that I might hide and listen for a while?"
A gate seemed to lead to the princesses' rooms. Kaoru pushed it open a little. The blind had been half raised to give a view of the moon, more beautiful for the mist. A young girl, tiny and delicate, her soft robe somewhat rumpled, sat shivering at the veranda. With her was an older woman similarly dressed. The princesses were father inside. Half hidden by a pillar, one had a lute before her and sat toying with a plectrum. Just then the moon burst forth in all its brilliance.
It was a charming scene, utterly unlike what Kaoru had imagined from afar. He had often enough heard the young women of his household reading from old romances. They were always coming upon such scenes, and he had thought them the most unadulterated nonsense. And here, hidden away from the world, was a scene as affecting as any in romance. He was dangerously losing control of himself. The mist had deepened until he could barely make out the figures of the princesses. Summon it forth again, he whispered -- but a woman had come from within to tell them of the caller. The blind was lowered and everyone withdrew to the rear of the house.
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 | #2456 |
| Title or Description |  variously translated as The Lady at the Bridge, The Maiden of the Bridge, The Devine Princess at Uji Bridge |
| 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 |
| Genre | genji-e |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Format | ōban |
| H x W Paper | 8 13/16 x 12 3/8 in. (22.4 x 31.4 cm) |
| H x W Image | 8 3/8 x 11 15/16 in. (21.3 x 30.3 cm) |
| Collections This Print | Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College 2009.1.16; 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); Honolulu Museum of Art 31660 |
| Reference Literature | |
3/25/2021 created
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