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The Depravity of the Monk Seigen

The Depravity of the Monk Seigen

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Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

The story of the forbidden love between Monk Seigen and the beautiful Sakurahime has several variations and was a popular theme in ukiyo-e prints. In this vertical diptych, Yoshitoshi depicts a scene from the version in which Sakurahime dies and haunts the destitute Monk Seigen. Sakurahime, dressed in the finest robes and wearing elaborate hairpins, appears in a vision to the emaciated Seigen. Fondling her robe and staring blankly, Seigen seems entranced. His yellowed teeth and eyes dramatically convey his tortured obsession.
Artist
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
(Japanese, 1839 - 1892)
Title
The Depravity of the Monk Seigen
Date
1889
Medium
Color woodcut
Dimensions
723 x 245 mm Image
Credit
John H. Van Vleck Endowment Fund purchase
Accession No.
2004.38a-b
Classification
Prints
Geography
Japan

Related

  • Mueller, Laura. "Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School." Leiden, The Netherlands: Hotei Publishing, 2007. p. 216, no. 214

  • Japanese Masterworks: Woodblock Prints from the Chazen Museum of Art Collection: Chazen Museum of Art, 5/6/2016–8/14/2016
  • Utagawa: Masters of the Japanese Print, 1770-1900: Chazen Museum of Art, 11/2/2009–11/26/2009
  • Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School: Chazen Museum of Art, 11/3/2007–1/6/2008

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