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“‘A Boat Cast Adrift’ (Ukifune): Omatsu and Akabori Mizuemon,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)

1845–46
Not on view
A battle takes place between the villainous samurai Akabori Mizuemon and the female warrior Omatsu. The source may be a scene from a Kabuki play by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653–1725). At first glance, the only connection with Genji’s Chapter 51 is that they both take place on board a boat, which in Genji contains Ukifune and Niou, headed toward the Isle of Orange Trees. Given Ukifune’s role as a demure, helpless girl in that episode, it is humorous to see a figure in a comparable setting rise up to attack the man in the boat.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　浮舟 / おまつ　赤堀水右衛門」
  • Title: “‘A Boat Cast Adrift’ (Ukifune): Omatsu and Akabori Mizuemon,” 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: 1845–46
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 13 7/8 × 9 1/16 in. (35.2 × 23 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Ronin Gallery, 2018
  • Object Number: 2018.893.4
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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