Nowaki (The Typhoon), Chapter 28 in The Tale of Genji, from the series Genji kō no zu (Genji Incense Pictures)
PortfolioSeries: Genji kō no zu (Genji Incense Pictures)
Maker
Utagawa Toyokuni III
(Japanese, 1786 - 1864)
Date1843–47 (Tenpō 14–Kōka 4)
PeriodEdo Period
Place MadeJapan, Asia
MediumWoodblock print; ink and mineral pigments on paper
Dimensions25.7 x 18.6 cm (10 1/8 x 7 5/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Phyllis and Jerry Coulter
Object number2017.4.1
On View
Not on viewCollections
InscribedArtist signature (lower left margin): Ichiyōsai Toyokuni ga 一陽斎豊国画
Censor seal: Fukatsu
Label TextThis chapter takes place in the autumn when Hikaru Genji was 36.
One day in August, the capital was hit by a powerful typhoon. On a visit to the Rokujo-in Palace, where plants and flowers in the garden had been blown flat, Yugiri happened to catch a glimpse of Murasaki no Ue amidst the chaos and was stunned by her beauty. Even after paying a visit to his grandmother, Omiya, he could not forget the Murasaki no Ue's beauty, which was like full-blown cherry blossoms.
The day after the typhoon, Genji and Yugiri went visit Empress Akikonomu, who was in the middle of a short leave, and other noble ladies. When they visited Tamakazura, Yugiri caught a glimpse of her and was fascinated by her beauty but, at the same time, he was suspicious of Genji's unfatherly-like behavior toward her. Yugiri, disconcerted by the various women as beautiful as flowers, sent Kumoi no Kari a letter.
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