Vijandelijke golven naderen de moderne prins Genji 1860 - 1866

Curator: Our next piece is by Utagawa Kunisada, dating from 1860 to 1866. It’s a woodblock print titled "Vijandelijke golven naderen de moderne prins Genji," or "Enemy Waves Approach the Modern Prince Genji." You can see it here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Well, hello, Prince. He looks like he’s about to step into something way over his head. Very dramatic. And a bit unsettling. Are those irises around him? Makes me think of loss and memory. Curator: Utagawa Kunisada was a master of ukiyo-e, this style often draws on popular culture, capturing actors, courtesans, and tales of the floating world. Prince Genji is a classic literary figure, known for his romantic adventures and refined taste. Kunisada frequently modernized these tales, setting them in the Edo period. Editor: Modernized, eh? Look at the patterning in that robe—the waves swirling, those circles – they almost seem like targets. It’s interesting, the water is calm, but he seems so anxious. Almost as if the danger is internal. What do the waves symbolize here? Curator: The "enemy waves" can symbolize many things – political upheaval, social change, or even personal struggles. In ukiyo-e prints, water is often a powerful symbol of both purification and destruction, transformation and uncertainty. The irises, as you noted, certainly carry heavy symbolism regarding transience. Kunisada masterfully combined traditional symbols with a contemporary setting. Editor: It does make you think about the past and present merging – this classic figure caught in a wave of modern anxiety. The tension between the stylized landscape and the Prince’s intensely focused expression really sells that feeling. Curator: Exactly. Utagawa's composition heightens the emotional impact. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own responses to changing times and enduring themes. The print becomes more than just a story; it's a reflection of universal human experience. Editor: Gives you a lot to chew on, doesn't it? A stylish snapshot of eternal human turbulence.