Pages from Tale of Genji: Book of butterflies

This ukiyo-e book is a literary parody of the Japanese classic Tale of Genji (源氏物語 Genji monogatari), a story of Heian-period gallantry and romance set in the royal court. Illustrations of ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kunisada II bring the story of the "Rustic Genji" to life during the Muromachi period.

Printed on double leaves, Japanese pouch binding style (fukurotoji), the illustrations have been created using woodcuts.