Japanese Woodblock by Kunisada II (with Fan by Hiroshige II) of Chapter 14, Fifty-four Chapters of the False Genji, 1864

Original Woodblock by Kunisada II (1823 - 1880). The landscape in the fan-shaped inset was done by Hiroshige II. The scene is from chapter 14 of ‘Fifty-four Chapters of the False Genji’ (Nise genji goj?yo j?) which was published around 1864 by Tsutaya Kichiz? (K?eid?). Its images are based on the then popular novel "A False Murasaki and a Country Genji" (Nise Murasaki inaka Genji) from 1828, which was a parody of The Tale of Genji.

The woodblock features kimono fabrics and fine line work. It is nicely detailed with a faint overall embossed pattern of seashells and waves in the background, and embossed fold lines on the fan. The woodblock is in good condition and has not been glued to a backing board. There is overall tanning and some discolouration along a central fold.

Utagawa Kunisada II (1823 - 1880) was a pupil of Utagawa Kunisada I, who adopted him after he married his daughter. He worked in the style of his master, illustrating nearly 200 books. Hiroshige II similarly took on his master’s name after marrying into the family. His work is similar to and often confused with Hiroshige the elder.