Japan & the Far East
The Lovers Who Exchanged Fans
Miyuki and Komagawa exchange fans as tokens of their promised love after meeting during a summer boat trip in Kyoto. Her fan bears morning-glory flowers; his carries a poem that becomes the story's recurring sign of recognition. In Davis's retelling of The Love of Asagao, separation and grief leave Miyuki blind, earning a living by singing that poem while she searches for him. Evelyn Paul's frontispiece depicts their first exchange, before the losses and eventual reunion that give the fans their significance.
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Citation
Evelyn Paul. "The Lovers Who Exchanged Fans" [editorial title]. In Myths and Legends of Japan, F. Hadland Davis; illustrated by Evelyn Paul. 1912, George G. Harrap & Company. Source scan leaf 8. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/japan-fans
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
The figures are identified from the frontispiece caption and its linked narrative, not inferred from their appearance. Asagao is Miyuki's adopted name in the story; the plate does not depict the later reunion.
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Myths and Legends of JapanF. Hadland Davis; illustrated by Evelyn Paul1912More from this book
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Cite this illustration
Evelyn Paul. The Lovers Who Exchanged Fans. Myths and Legends of Japan. Scan leaf 8. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/japan-fans