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Yūgao (chapter 4) from the album Illustrations for Genji monogatari in Fifty-Four Wood-Cut Prints

Ebina Masao (1913-1980)
 

Japanese Color Woodblock Print

Yūgao (chapter 4) from the album

Illustrations for Genji monogatari

in Fifty-Four Wood-Cut Prints

by Ebina Masao, c. 1953

Ebina Masao (1913-1980)


IHL Cat. #2498

About This Print

In this scene from chapter 4, Yūgao (The Bottle Gourds)Prince Genjholds the body of his new love Yūgao who was frightened to death by an apparition of Lady Rokujō, Genji's longtime mistress.

Source:  Genji gojūshijō 源氏五十四帖, published by Shin Kōbe Shinbunsha, 1974.
Genji had fallen into a deep slumber for some time when he was rudely awakened. He thought he had heard the jealous voice of the lady of Rokujō. He grabbed his sword and called out to awake the people in the house. Ukon, the waiting-woman, and others hurried to his chamber. They were paralyzed with fear and could do nothing.

After the initial moment of surprise Prince Genji put his hand on Yūgao's face. She was not breathing. Alarmed Genji rudely shook her but no response came. She was dead, and was already becoming cold.

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


Print Details

 IHL Catalog #2498
 Title or Description
Yūgao 夕顔 The Bottle Gourds
variously translated as Evening Faces, The Twilight Beauty, The Lady of the Evening Faces
 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 9/16 x 12 5/16 in. (21.7 x 31.3 cm)
 H x W Image 8 5/16 x 11 15/16 in. (21.1 x 30.3 cm)
 Collections This Print Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College 2018.1.76; 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 
latest revision:
5/30/2021 created