The Third Princess from the Tale of Genji (Princess Sannomiya)

Catalog note / 解説

This scene illustrates the beginning of the thirty-fourth chapter of The Tale of Genji, titled "New Herbs" (Wakana). Appropriate subject matter for an ukiyo-e bijinga ("picture of beautiful women"), the Third Princess, who in the original text merely peeks out from behind a bamboo curtain (misu), now clearly presents herself in full view. In this springtime scene, the young princess Sannomiya has just retrieved her cat. The cherry blossoms that appear white in the background were originally printed in a pale blue pigment that has faded over time. The combination of soft pastel colors recalls the traditional Yamato-e style of painting, providing a sense of classicism in keeping the ancient l…