Ukifune and Ukon approach the island of Tachibana

About this artwork

This print is created about 25 years before printed color was in common use in Japan. The scene comes from the 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu. It shows the characters Ukifune and her lover, Ukon, approaching the island of Tachibana at dawn after a snowy night.

Art Historical Context

In the enchanting woodblock print *Ukifune and Ukon Approach the Island of Tachibana (c. 1740), Okumura Masanobu a poignant moment from *The Tale of Genji Japan's timeless 11th-century novel by Murasaki Shikibu The narrow hosoban format—measuring just 32.2 × 15.4 cm—depicts the protagonists Ukifune, a tragic heroine, and her loyal attendant Ukon as they near the misty island of Tachibana, fleeing turmoil in a scene rich with emotional tension and natural beauty. Masanobu, a pioneering ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period (1603–1868), mastered the hosoban style, a slender vertical print ideal for affordable, intimate depictions of literature, theater, and daily life. Printed with vibrant inks on thin paper using carved wooden blocks, this technique allowed mass production, bringing classical stories to everyday viewers. His innovative use of color and composition reflects the "floating world" ethos, blending elegance with narrative drama. Held in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Asia collection, this print highlights ukiyo-e's cultural role in democratizing high literature, offering a window into 18th-century Japan's fascination with Genji's romance and melancholy. A gem for Genji enthusiasts!

About the Artist

Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764

Japanese, 1686–1764