“‘Exile to Suma’ (Suma): Tamaori-hime,” from the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures (Genji-gumo ukiyo e-awase) 1845 - 1861

Utagawa Kuniyoshi created this woodblock print, ‘Exile to Suma’ (Suma): Tamaori-hime, as part of the series Scenes amid Genji Clouds Matched with Ukiyo-e Pictures. Kuniyoshi’s print reflects the cultural fascination with the Tale of Genji. Set against the backdrop of 12th century Japanese court life, the Tale explores themes of love, loss, and the transient nature of beauty. Kuniyoshi reimagines this classical narrative through the lens of ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” a genre known for its depictions of everyday life and popular culture. Here, Tamaori-hime stands at the edge of the sea in exile, evoking both the literal and emotional isolation experienced by women in patriarchal societies. This print is not just a visual representation but also an exploration of the emotional and psychological dimensions of exile, and how gender shapes one’s experience of displacement. It invites us to reflect on the intersections of tradition, representation, and identity.