“‘A Lovely Garland’ (Tamakazura): Tamatori-ama,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese

Not on view

Kuniyoshi’s dramatic image derives from the medieval tale Taishokkan, “The Great Woven Cap,” which recounts legendary events from the life of the courtier Fujiwara Kamatari (614–669). Here, his humbly born lover, the beautiful diver Tamatori, recovers a precious jewel stolen from Kamatari by the dragon king of the sea. She battles one of the dragon’s minions, a fearsome octopus, clutching the jewel in one hand while brandishing a dagger in the other. The connection to Chapter 22 of Genji is the jewel (tama) in the chapter title, “Tamakazura,” which is the name of Genji’s beautiful ward.

“‘A Lovely Garland’ (Tamakazura): Tamatori-ama,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase), Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861), Woodblock ōban print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan

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