Spirit Summoner; Wild Geese Returning Home (Maboroshi; Rakugan) (right) and A Thin Veil of Clouds; Clearing Weather (Usugumo; Seiran) (left), from the series Eight Views of The Tale of Genji in the Floating World (Ukiyo Genji hakkei)
In addition to his parodic Genji in Fashionable Modern Guise prints, Eishi created eight prints in diptych format that allude to Genji episodes. Each displays two beauties, with landscapes in insets that reference the scenic “Eight Views of Ōmi” and correspond to chapters from the tale. In the print representing Chapter 41, “Spirit Summoner,” the encircled geese and autumn grasses evoke a poem by the Akashi Lady. On the left, Chapter 19, “A Thin Veil of Clouds,” is recalled by the landscape of Awazu, a name that refers either to Genji’s interest in Akikonomu, or to a poetic exchange between Genji and the Akashi Lady.
Artwork Details
- 鳥文斎栄之画 「浮世源氏八景 幻 落雁 薄雲 晴嵐」
- Title: Spirit Summoner; Wild Geese Returning Home (Maboroshi; Rakugan) (right) and A Thin Veil of Clouds; Clearing Weather (Usugumo; Seiran) (left), from the series Eight Views of The Tale of Genji in the Floating World (Ukiyo Genji hakkei)
- Artist: Chōbunsai Eishi (Japanese, 1756–1829)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: 1797–99
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Diptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: H. 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm); W. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1921
- Object Number: JP1222
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Chōbunsai Eishi
ca. 1780
Chōbunsai Eishi
ca. 1780
Chōbunsai Eishi
ca. 1797
Chōbunsai Eishi
ca. 1790
Chōbunsai Eishi
ca. 1793
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