“‘A Molted Cicada Shell’ (Utsusemi): Soga Gorō Tokimune,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)

ca. 1845–61

Not on view

At night a handsome young warrior slides beneath a tent’s mosquito net to kill the man who murdered his father, but finds no one there. He is Soga Gorō Tokimune, one of two brothers determined to avenge their father’s death. The Soga brothers’ story, a popular theme in Japanese culture, gave rise to Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku theater pieces as well as prints by ukiyo-e artists. Here, a parallel is drawn between Gorō’s actions and those of Genji in Chapter 3, “A Molted Cicada Shell,” in which Genji invades Utsusemi’s sleeping chamber but finds that she has vanished and left behind her thin summer robe.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　空蝉 / 曾我五郎時致」
Title: “‘A Molted Cicada Shell’ (Utsusemi): Soga Gorō Tokimune,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1845–61
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 14 × 9 3/16 in. (35.6 × 23.3 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Ronin Gallery, 2018
Object Number: 2018.893.2
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Utagawa Kuniyoshi

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Women Near a River, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints; ink, silver, and color on paper, Japan — Women Near a River
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1850

Boys Play-acting a Daimyo Procession, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Pentaptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — Boys Play-acting a Daimyo Procession
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
19th century

Travelling in a Snowstorm, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Travelling in a Snowstorm
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1830

Roshungi (Chinese, Lu Zhunyi) as a Woman with a Pipe Riding on a Buffalo, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Roshungi (Chinese, Lu Zhunyi) as a Woman with a Pipe Riding on a Buffalo
Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Nichiren in Snow at Tsukahara, Sodo Province, Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Nichiren in Snow at Tsukahara, Sodo Province
Utagawa Kuniyoshi
ca. 1840

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.