Toyokuni III Utagawa, Spring in Arashiyama, Kyoto

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JG051708B-307
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Original Japanese woodblock print.
toyokuni III utagawa, spring, arashiyama, kyoto
toyokuni III utagawa, spring, arashiyama, kyoto toyokuni III utagawa, spring, arashiyama, kyoto

Artist: Toyokuni III Utagawa (1786-1864)
Title: Spring in Arashiyama, Kyoto
Publisher: Tsujiokaya Bunsuke
Date: 1854
Size: (L)24 x 35.3 (C)24 x 35.2 (R)24 x 35.2 cm
Condition: Some wormholes restored, holes, slightly trimmed, paper residue on the back, wears, minor creases.

Written in the 11th century by the noble woman Murasaki Shikibu, 'The Tale of Genji' shows the pastimes and customs of the imperial elite that are described in detail, giving readers an insight to the distinct court culture of the Heian period (794-1185).


In the Edo period (1603-1868), 'The Tale of Genji' was imagined and reimagined countless times. In both archaic and contemporary forms, the story had been relocated from the old capital of Kyoto to the new audience Edo. A key proponent to the reinvigoration of this classic tale was the extremely popular serialisation of Ryutei Tanehiko's (1783-1842) illustrated book False Murasaki and a Rural Genji, a loose adaptation that interwove contemporary culture to the original plot.

Toyokuni III Utagawa (Kunisada I)


Kunisada I Utagawa was a prolific woodblock print artist mostly known for his pictures of beautiful women (bijinga) and kabuki actors prints (yakusha-e). Born in Edo (today’s Tokyo), he became a pupil of Toyokuni I Utagawa (1769-1825) at the age of 15 and would later adopt his name in the traditional Japanese manner, becoming Toyokuni III and continuing the development of the Utagawa art school.

Kunisada’s pictures reflect the culture of Japan in the years leading up to the country’s opening to the West. His first book illustrations were published in 1807 and his first actor portrait the following year. Alongside theatrical scenes and courtesans, yakusha-e was his preferred genre amidst all his popular and extensive output. As he painted a large number of these, continuing the stout realism of his teacher, he acquired the nickname ‘Yakusha-e no Kunisada’ – Kunisada, the actor painter. In his numerous bijinga he clung to the ideal of beauty prevalent at the time. Most of the women portrayed were courtesans from Yoshiwara, the regulated red-light district of the city.

In 1820s Kunisada joined author Ryutei Tanehiko (1783-1842) to work on illustrating a series of books based on the classical novel ‘The Tale of Genji’, the reinterpreted story having been relocated from the old capital of Kyoto to the new audience in Edo. The work started a new ukiyo-e genre, genji-e, and proved an overnight success, becoming the first Japanese publication to sell over 10,000 copies, a record which stood for many years.

Kunisada gave his audience an escape from the restrictions of their ordinary lives and his designs, with their optimism and energy, still have the capacity today to attract and entertain. Notable students of Kunisada included Kunichika Toyohara, Sadahide Utagawa and Kunisada II Utagawa.

More Information
Print FormatTriptych
ArtistToyokuni III Utagawa (Kunisada I)
SubjectSamurai & Male, Kabuki Theatre
Dimensions(L)24 x 35.3 (C)24 x 35.2 (R)24 x 35.2 cm
Condition Report Some wormholes restored, holes, slightly trimmed, paper residue on the back, wears, minor creases.
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