#34 Wakana
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
- Art of Japan
Description
"Wakana" (Young Herbs), chapter 34 of The Tale of Genji, is one of the longest and most complex chapters, depicting the aging Genji's declining fortunes as his young wife Onna Sannomiya enters his life and his relationships grow complicated. Kuniyoshi's numbered treatment of Genji chapters brought the courtly tale into dialogue with the popular ukiyo-e tradition, translating aristocratic narrative into accessible print imagery. The chapter's New Year's herbs imagery — young greens gathered on the first day of the year — likely anchors the composition in seasonal celebration.
More Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Woman as the Hero Taisō in Palanquin Holding a Pipe
c. 1830
Woodblock print (surimono), ink and color on paper
Yan Qing (Roshi Ensei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
Poem by Abe no Nakamaro, from an untitled series of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets
Hu Sanniang (Ko Sanjo Ichijosei), from the series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)"
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Frequently Asked Questions
#34 Wakana was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳).
#34 Wakana depicts figures, bijin-ga, and daily life.