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源氏物語の若菜の上
Here, the aging Prince Genji receives a holiday visit from his grown foster daughter—a scene from the 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji. She brings a gift of new spring herbs, a restorative food traditionally eaten at New Year. These herbs, arranged decoratively in a box, stand in front of the scene (which is depicted within the print as a painted panel) along with other New Year’s decorations.
The Wakana Chapter in the Tale of Genji
源氏物語の若菜の上
Totoya Hokkei (Japanese, 1780–1850)
Japanese
Edo period
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Shikishiban; 20.6 x 18 cm (8 1/8 x 7 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.20595
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Here, the aging Prince Genji receives a holiday visit from his grown foster daughter—a scene from the 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji. She brings a gift of new spring herbs, a restorative food traditionally eaten at New Year. These herbs, arranged decoratively in a box, stand in front of the scene (which is depicted within the print as a painted panel) along with other New Year’s decorations.
Catalogue Raisonné
Goodall, Living for the Moment (Bowman Coll. exh. cat., 2015), p. 118; Polster & Marks, Surimono (1980), p. 161
DescriptionPoems translated in Goodall 2015, p. 119.
Signed
Hokkei
北渓
北渓
InscriptionsPoem by Shibanomon Matane: Kyara no ka o/ tomeshi noshi o/ kite yomeru/ Wakana no maki wa/ kamishimo mo ari
Poem by Seimeitei Honki: Kosu morete/ niou hatsune no/ Tamakatsura/ ume ga yashinau/ niwa no uguisu
Poem by Seimeitei Honki: Kosu morete/ niou hatsune no/ Tamakatsura/ ume ga yashinau/ niwa no uguisu
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.