Prince Genji’s Woodblock Prints
Immerse yourself in the world of ancient Japanese courtly love with Genji Monogatari, a timeless classic from 1006.
Genji Monogatari: A Literary Masterpiece
Written in 1006, The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu is considered a masterpiece of Japanese literature, embodying the nation's classical aesthetic values. Prince Genji is the central figure of this timeless tale.
The Gallant Prince Genji
He is the archetype of the gallantry of ancient Japan: elegant, cultured, sentimental and seductive. Genji masters all the arts, poetry, music, dance; he has good taste in dress, for the right gift, and is able to solve any situation with wit.
Genji's Influence Spreads
In the 19th century, some novelists made parody versions of this work. The most successful was Ryūtei Tanehiko's Rustic Genji and False Murasaki. As the theme became fashionable, a number of kabuki plays inspired by these novels also appeared.
In this context, several publishers found big business in the sale of illustrated books and prints of the most famous episodes of Prince Genji, both in their serious and comic versions.
Utagawa School's Prints
The prints favoured by the public were those produced by the popular Utagawa school, represented with works by great artists such as Kunisada, Kuniyoshi, Kunisada II, Yoshiiku and Kunichika.
A Classic Reimagined
At the end of the 19th century, Ogata Gekkō, one of the last masters of ukiyo-e, nostalgically revived the classicism of the original story.
Prince Genji's woodblock prints. Curator David Almazán. Red Itiner 2023
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