Ryūtei Tanehiko II (二代柳亭種彦), also known as Kasatei Senka / Utagawa Kunisada II (二代歌川国貞), also known - Muromachi Genji Kochō no Maki (室町源氏胡蝶巻) – Part 11, Complete Upper & Lower Volumes - 1867

"Muromachi Genji Kochō no Maki," part 11, is a significant example of 19th-century Japanese woodblock print literature and art. Created in 1867 by Ryūtei Tanehiko II and illustrated by Utagawa Kunisada II, this work is part of a series capturing stories from the Muromachi period, an era known for cultural refinement and political complexity in Japan. The title references "Genji," or the Tale of Genji, considered one of the earliest novels and a pinnacle of Japanese literature, while "Kochō" means butterfly, perhaps symbolizing delicate beauty or transformation. Utagawa Kunisada II was a leading ukiyo-e artist, specializing in kabuki actor portraits and narrative prints. The complete upper and lower volumes would be prized for their combination of storytelling, historical insight, and the distinctive aesthetic of late Edo period woodblock prints.