Scene From "Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji"

Vertical ōban triptych. Dimensions: 13 ½ x 31 in. (34.30 x 78.70 cm)

Markings: Artist’s seal: Kunisada ga 国貞画 Publisher's seal: Maruya 丸屋 Block cutter's seal: Hori Chō 彫長 Censor's seal: Rat 10 aratame 子十改

Characters: Iwai Shijaku II 岩井紫若 as Tasogare たそがれ (left) Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I 河原崎権十郎 as Shinonome しのゝめ (center) Bandō Hikosaburō V 坂東彦三郎 as Ashikaga Mitsuuji 足利光氏 (right)

This triptych by Utagawa Kunisada II depicts a scene from the satirical kabuki play Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji (The Imitation Murasaki and the Rustic Genji). The play was based on a 19th century book of the same name by Ryūutei Tanehiko that parodied the Heian period novel, The Tale of Genji. Ashikaga Mitsuuji (right), while on a quest to recover a stolen family sword, falls in love with the beautiful Tasogare (left). The lovers are in the midst of a rendezvous at a dilapidated temple when a woman dressed as a demon (center) appears and attacks Mitsuuji. Tasogare intervenes, shielding herself with a traditional sedge hat, and cuts her own throat in order to distract the demon and save Mitsuuji. Mitsuuji then sees through the mysterious woman’s disguise: she is Shinonome, a dancing instructor and the mother of Tasogare, as well as the sword thief that Mitsuuji has been searching for. The grieving Shinonome divulges to Mitsuuji where the sword is hidden, then commits ritual suicide.

Bequest of Sid Zarow

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston also holds this print

References: MFA Boston. http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/actors-band%C3%B4-hikosabur%C3%B4-v-as-ashikaga-mitsuuji-r-kawarazaki-gonj%C3%BBr%C3%B4-i-as-the-dance-teacher-maishinan-shinonome-c-and-iwai-shijaku-ii-as-tasogare-l-190402, opens in a new window Accessed 1/20/2016 Emmerich, Michael. 2013. The Tale of Genji: Translation, Canonization, and World Literature. New York: Columbia University Press. Shirane, Haruo. 2002. Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900. New York: Columbia University Press.