歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　若紫 / 少将」|“‘Little Purple Gromwell’ (Wakamurasaki): Shōshō,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

ca. 1845–61 · Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper · Asian Art

歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　若紫 / 少将」|“‘Little Purple Gromwell’ (Wakamurasaki): Shōshō,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase) — Utagawa Kuniyoshi

A woman ties her sash as paper fallen from her sleeve blows away in the breeze. Ordinarily, her disheveled appearance and packet of tissue papers would suggest she is a common prostitute. However, she represents Tegoshi no Shōshō, mistress of Soga Gorō, from the famous story of the Soga brothers’ vendetta. The name “Wakamurasaki” on the scroll-shaped insert above links the print with Chapter 5 of Genji, asking viewers to conflate this woman with young Murasaki from the tale. The violet-purple colors in Shōshō’s kimono evoke the name “Murasaki,” which means purple, while the airborne papers imitate the flight of Murasaki’s famous escaped pet sparrow, also shown above.

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Date: ca. 1845–61
Medium: Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Culture: Japan
Department: Asian Art
Credit line: Gift of Ronin Gallery, 2018

歌川國芳画 「源氏雲浮世画合 若紫 / 少将」|“‘Little Purple Gromwell’ (Wakamurasaki): Shōshō,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)

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歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　若紫 / 少将」|“‘Little Purple Gromwell’ (Wakamurasaki): Shōshō,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)