NISEMURASAKI INAKAGENJI　偐紫田舎源氏

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Lit. The False Murasaki and the Rustic Genji. An extremely popular mid-19c novel written by Ryuutei Tanehiko 柳亭種彦 (1783-1842) and illustrated by Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞 (1786-1865). The most famous example of serialized *goukan 合巻 (bound together volumes) literature, the story parodies the early 11c, GENJI MONOGATARI 源氏物語 (The Tale of Genji; see *genji-e 源氏絵) by *Murasaki Shikibu 紫式部 while drawing on themes from *kabuki 歌舞伎. Set in the reign of Ashikaga Yoshimasa 足利義正, the narrative revolves around Mitsuuji 光氏, an illegitimate son of the shougun 将軍, who sets out to recover his father's three lost treasures. The plot includes numerous love affairs while also adding kabuki-esque elements such as murderous villains. Tsuruya Kiemon 鶴屋喜右衛門 published the novel in 38 parts between 1829-42. Kunisada also created several independent series of *nishiki-e 錦絵 prints based on his illustrations for Tsuruya's edition, including one in which Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川広重 (1797-1858) provided the background landscapes.

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