歌川國芳画　「源氏雲浮世画合　浮舟 / おまつ　赤堀水右衛門」|“‘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)

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan (1615–1868), Utagawa Kuniyoshi crafted this captivating woodblock print around 1845–46 as part of his series *Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Uki-e Pictures* (*Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase*). master of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") tradition, Kuniyoshi ingeniously paired iconic episodes from Murasaki Shikibu's11th-century novel *The Tale of Genji* dramatic scenes from kabuki theater popular tales. Here, the chapter "Ukifune" ("A Boat Cast Adrift")—depicting a heroine's perilous drift on a river—is reimagined through the story of the loyal lovers Omatsu and Akabori Mizuemon, blending literary elegance with theatrical intensity. This *nishiki-e* (brocade picture), a full-color *ōban* print measuring about 14 × 9 inches, showcases the revolutionary woodblock technique perfected in 19th-century Japan. Multiple carved blocks layered vivid inks and pigments onto paper, achieving luminous effects like flowing robes and misty waters that evoke emotional turmoil. Kuniyoshi's dynamic compositions, bold lines, and expressive figures elevated ukiyo-e beyond mere decoration, influencing global artists like Toulouse-Lautrec. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department (gift of Ronin Gallery, 2018), this print captures the cultural fusion of Japan's floating world—where high literature met lowbrow entertainment—offering visitors a window into Edo's playful, print-saturated society.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi · 1797–1861

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was born in Edo to the silk-dyer Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally bearing the childhood name Yoshisaburō. From a young age, he assisted in his family's pattern design work, which sharpened his innate mastery of color and textile motifs that would permeate his later prints. At around twelve years old, his prodigious drawing skills drew the attention of the renowned Utag...