Author: Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) here as Toyokuni (豊国).
Subject: The joy of the autumn colors (momiji no ga, 紅葉の賀).
Genre: Fifty four scenes from Genji (Genji gojūyon chō, 源氏五十四帖).
Number: 7.
Size: medium (chūban, 中判).
Publisher: Hamadaya (浜田屋).
Period: c. 1852.
Trimmed: yes
Backed: yes
Code: UKSI01007

Condition: general conditions are good. Color is still pretty clear and vivd. There are no remarkable stains, wrinkles or damage. The print has been backed.

Momiji no ga is the seventh chapter from the famous Tale of Genji.
The Emperor's nephew To no Chujō, friends but rival in love of prince Genji (both of them are having an affair with a lady in waiting), is dancing under a fall of red Autumn leaves (momiji) offering the court a magnificent view.
"Mono omou ni, tachimaubeku mo, aranu ni no, sode uchifurushi, kokoro shiriki ya (ものおもふにたちまふやくもあらぬ身の袖うちふりし心しりきや)" "Hunted by my thoughts I can't even stand to dance, but when my sleeves waved did you understand the true emotions deep inside my whirling heart?".
In the upper left corner a square frames a branch covered in red autumn leaves, stressing the importance of the seasonal changing with its colors, flowers and trees as a pivotal leitmotif of the Japanese poetry.
The entire paper ha been embossed creating a nice background decoration pattern.