Women Divers for Shells of the Awabi at Ise

Artist Utagawa Kunisada I 歌川国貞 (Toyokuni III 三代豊国) (Japanese, 1786–1864)

Dateintercalary 5th month, June 1865

Mediumwoodblock print

Dimensions33.6 x 71.7 cm (13 1/4 x 28 1/4 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.141

Label TextThe Tale of Genji, written by noblewoman Lady Murasaki in the 11th century, is considered by many scholars to be the world’s first novel. It describes across fifty-four chapters the life of the fictional hero, Prince Hikaru Genji, and his many love affairs. The volume inspired artists and authors alike to compose kabuki plays, erotica, parodies, and mass-produced prints during the Edo period (1603-1868). This print depicts a scene from a parody, called Rustic Genji, in which Mitsuuji (the Genji figure) admires voluptuous abalone divers, or ama. These women were often viewed as erotic because their assumed sexual freedom and ruggedness stood in contrast with more “refined” beauties. Not present in the original Tale, the abalone divers are associated with chapter nine, in which the prince reflects on his past lovers and makes his future wife Murasaki his consort. The divers could allude to all the lustful women fishing for his attention, or more subtly to his metaphorical comparison of Murasaki to blooming seaweed. Although the composition shares close ties to triptychs produced by Utamaro and Kunisada I, there is a distinct fluidity to Kunisada II’s work, created by the translucent water and the bodies of the women. He cleverly created natural sight lines from left to right, allowing the viewer’s eye to move with arching waves.

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