Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery - Sino-Japanese Parallels to Genji: Usugumo

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Image of Sino-Japanese Parallels to Genji: Usugumo

URL: web-kiosk.scrippscollege.edu/objects-1/info/25306

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Japanese, (1797–1861)
Sino-Japanese Parallels to Genji: Usugumo, 1855
Ink and colors on paper
14 5/16 x 9 1/2 in. (36 x 24 cm)

Object Type: Print

Technique: Wood-block Printing

Period: Edo (Japan, 1615-1868)

Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Aoki Endowment for Japanese Arts and Cultures

Accession Number: 2019.1.8

Alternate Title: Wakan nazorae Genji: Usugumo

Commentary

Spiders (Japanese: kumo) have also been attributed supernatural shapeshifting powers in Japanese folklore. Tsuchigumo, or “earth spiders,” are believed to grow to monstrous size and use illusion, trickery and shapeshifting to catch large prey, including humans. Here, a monster spider is shown trying to smother the warrior Yorimitsu with a weblike net, a reference to a legend in which Yorimitsu, sick with malaria, confronts a shady figure who tries to kill him in his sleep. He pursues his enemy and discovers that it is a horrendous shapeshifting spider. This print is part of a series by Kuniyoshi that portrays figures from Chinese and Japanese legends. In scenes that parallel chapters of the classic Tale of Genji, the artist plays with the homonym kumo from the title of Chapter 19, Usugumo (“thin clouds”) – kumo (or “gumo”) can mean spiders or clouds.

- Meher McArthur, January 7, 2021

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Wakan Nazorae Genji (Japanese and Chinese comparisons for the chapters of Genji). "Usugumo." War lord Minamoto Yorimitsu (Raiko) draws his sword while the spirit of "Tsuchigumo" (earth spider) casts its net over him.

Marks

The work bears the signature - "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi" - and the artist's seal - "Kiri".

Medium

ink and colors on paper

Publisher

Ise-yoshi.

Keywords Click a term to view the records with the same keyword

This object has the following keywords:

1841-1868, Actors and Actresses, Genji, Performers, Soldiers and Warriors, Yokai