- "Yadorigi” (The Mistletoe) from The Tale of Genji -

The remarkable print "Yadorig” (The Mistletoe) from The Tale of Genji is by Kaoru Saito. The Tale of Genji is a renowned work of Japanese literature written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century during the Heian period. The novel depicts the life of Hikaru Genji, the son of an emperor, and offers an intimate portrayal of the aristocratic society of the time.

The title of the print (also the title of the chapter), “Yadorigi” (“The Mistletoe”), is derived from a waka poem exchanged between Kaoru and the Ben no Ama. Both poems contain the word yadorigi. The related term yadoriki is a play on words, combining yadorigi—an alternative name for ivy—and yadoriki (meaning “once took up residence”).

In this context, yadorigi refers to a plant that sustains itself by clinging to other trees; it symbolizes a heart wandering without a haven, as well as human relationships marked by an inescapable need to depend on others. The dynamics of “leaning on someone” and “being leaned upon” intertwine in a complex web, causing the title “Yadorigi” to resonate deeply with the overarching themes of the narrative.

In this print, Kaoru Saito beautifully portrays large ivy leaves dramatically in the foreground, with Kaoru standing behind them, lost in thought.

Technique: Aquatint, Mezzotint, and Engraving 
Paper size: 15 inches wide by 17 and 7/8 inches tall (38 x 45.5 cm)
Image size: 8 and 1/2 inches wide by 8 and 3/4 inches tall (21.5 x 22.5 cm)
Sheet number: 8/85 
Date: 1990
Signed: Pencil signed by the artist
Condition: Very good condition.

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