7009 - Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada / Toyokuni III: "Azumaya", from the Genji series, Japan, 1852

Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada / Toyokuni III: "Azumaya", from the Genji series, Japan, 1852 Utagawa Kunisada, also Toyokuni III, Japan 1786-1865. Original Japanese color woodblock print on paper, so-called Ukiyo-e / Nishiki-e. The sheet shows a courtly Genji scene in an interior with wooden walkways over water, several figures, carps and decorative interior architecture. A standing male figure and a seated lady with a fan are depicted in the foreground, with other people on the galleries in the background. The sheet belongs to the series "Genji Magic Lantern Pictures", chapter "Azumaya" / Ch. 50. The red cartouche on the right contains the series title, meaning "Murasaki's Genji pictures / Genji depictions". The artist's signature reads Toyokuni ga, translated as "drawn by Toyokuni". The round seals are present, but not clearly legible. December 1852 is noted as the date, Senichi as the publisher. Dimensions: approx. 33 × 44.5 cm including frame. Age and provenance: Japan, Edo period, mid 19th century, 1852. Original woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada / Toyokuni III from a Genji series. Framed behind glass in black frame with dark passepartout. The sheet shows traces of age-related conservation, including slight discoloration, paper ageing, minor stains, creases and folds, partial colour abrasion and visible rubbing in the margins. The colors are still decoratively preserved overall, especially the blue, yellow and red areas.