歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　玉鬘 / 玉取蜑」|“‘A Lovely Garland’ (Tamakazura): Tamatori-ama,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

1845–46 · Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper · Asian Art

歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　玉鬘 / 玉取蜑」|“‘A Lovely Garland’ (Tamakazura): Tamatori-ama,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase) — Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Kuniyoshi’s dramatic image derives from the medieval tale Taishokkan, “The Great Woven Cap,” which recounts legendary events from the life of the courtier Fujiwara Kamatari (614–669). Here, his humbly born lover, the beautiful diver Tamatori, recovers a precious jewel stolen from Kamatari by the dragon king of the sea. She battles one of the dragon’s minions, a fearsome octopus, clutching the jewel in one hand while brandishing a dagger in the other. The connection to Chapter 22 of Genji is the jewel (tama) in the chapter title, “Tamakazura,” which is the name of Genji’s beautiful ward.

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Date: 1845–46
Medium: Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Culture: Japan
Department: Asian Art
Credit line: Purchase, Alan and Barbara Medaugh Gift, 2019

歌川國芳画 「源氏雲浮世画合 玉鬘 / 玉取蜑」|“‘A Lovely Garland’ (Tamakazura): Tamatori-ama,” 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　玉鬘 / 玉取蜑」|“‘A Lovely Garland’ (Tamakazura): Tamatori-ama,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)