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Aoi by Ebina Masao — Japanese Woodblock print

Aoi

by Ebina Masao

FiguresMythologyInteriors
Medium:
Woodblock print
Format:
Oban

Description

"Aoi" is Chapter 9 of The Tale of Genji, named for Genji's principal wife Lady Aoi, who dies in this chapter after being possessed by the malevolent spirit of Lady Rokujō — one of Genji's former lovers, whose jealousy has taken on a supernatural, life-destroying form. The chapter is among the most dramatically powerful in the novel: the exorcism of the possessing spirit, Aoi's death in childbirth, the grief of her family, and Genji's belated recognition of the woman he neglected in life. Ebina's illustration of this chapter navigates the supernatural and emotional extremity of Murasaki Shikibu's narrative.

More Prints by Ebina Masao

Asago- The Morning Glory — 朝顔 by Ebina Masao

Asago- The Morning Glory — 朝顔

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The First Song of the Year — 初音 by Ebina Masao

The First Song of the Year — 初音

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Tamakatsura from Lady Murasaki's "The Tale of Genji" by Ebina Masao

Tamakatsura from Lady Murasaki's "The Tale of Genji"

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Chapter 33 - Leaves of Wisteria - 藤裏葉 by Ebina Masao

Chapter 33 - Leaves of Wisteria - 藤裏葉

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More Figures Prints

Shamyris, Shôwa period, dated 1965? by Hideo Hagiwara

Shamyris, Shôwa period, dated 1965?

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Celebrating the Good Harvest: Felicitations for a Thousand Ages (Nôhônen, Chiyo no kotobuki) by Kawanabe Kyosai

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Midas, Shôwa period, dated 1965? by Hideo Hagiwara

Midas, Shôwa period, dated 1965?

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Gundari Myôô, Shôwa period, dated 1962 by Kihei Sasajima

Gundari Myôô, Shôwa period, dated 1962

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Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Japanese Ghost and Yōkai Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

Aoi was created by Ebina Masao (海老名正夫).

Aoi depicts figures, mythology, and interiors.