"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.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
#34 Wakana was created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳).
#34 Wakana depicts figures, bijin-ga, and daily life.
