Morning Glory (from the series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress) - Chōbunsai Eishi

A refined ukiyo-e woodblock print by Chōbunsai Eishi, depicting figures in a domestic setting from his series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress.

This woodblock print by Chōbunsai Eishi belongs to the series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress. Eishi, a former painter in the service of the Tokugawa shogunate, transitioned to the ukiyo-e genre during the late eighteenth century. His work is recognised for its refined aesthetic, often featuring elongated figures and a sophisticated use of line.

In this composition, Eishi reinterprets scenes from the classic eleventh-century literary work, The Tale of Genji, by placing the characters within the contemporary setting of the Edo period. The print depicts a group of women in a domestic interior, engaged in quiet activity. The figures are rendered with the characteristic grace associated with Eishi, who moved away from the more robust proportions favoured by his contemporaries. The architectural elements, such as the bamboo blinds and the patterned sliding doors, provide a structured backdrop for the figures.

The colour palette is restrained, relying on subtle tones of grey, muted purple, and soft ochre. This choice of colour contributes to the atmospheric quality of the scene, directing attention to the posture and expressions of the subjects. The inclusion of a birdcage and writing implements suggests a moment of leisure or artistic pursuit. Eishi’s approach to the subject matter reflects the cultural interest in adapting classical literature for a contemporary audience, a common practice in Edo-period print culture. The print demonstrates the technical precision of the woodblock medium, with fine lines defining the folds of the kimono and the textures of the interior furnishings. This work offers a view into the aesthetic values of the period, where the elegance of the figures is balanced by the orderly arrangement of the domestic space.