Information
- Title
- Scenes from the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)
- Object Number
- y1993-7
- Description
Around A.D. 1000, the court lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote what became the most celebrated narrative in Japan, The Tale of Genji, describing court life in the Heian period (794-1184). This screen depicts nine scenes from different chapters of the tale. The order of the scenes, viewed from top to bottom of each panel while moving across from right to left, diverges from the actual narrative sequence.Around A.D. 1000, the court lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote what became the most celebrated narrative in Japan, The Tale of Genji, describing court life in the Heian period (794-1184). This screen depicts nine scenes from different chapters of the tale. The order of the scenes, viewed from top to bottom of each panel while moving across from right to left, diverges from the actual narrative sequence.
Panel 1 top Chap. 21. Otome 乙女, “The Maiden” Autumn
bottom Chap. 25. Hotaru 螢, “Fireflies” Summer
Panel 2 Chap. 23. Hatsune 初音, “The First Warbler” Spring
Panel 3 top Chap. 26. Tokonatsu 常夏, “Wild Carnations” Summer
bottom Chap. 20. Asagao 朝顔, “The Morning Glory” Winter
Panel 4 Chap. 28. Nowaki 野分, “The Typhoon” Autumn
Panel 5 Chap. 51. Ukifune 浮舟, “A Boat Upon the Waters” Winter
Panel 6 top Chap. 34. Wakana 若菜, “New Herbs” Spring
bottom Chap. 37. Yokobue 横笛, “The Flute” Autumn
- Maker
- Anonymous
- Medium
- Six-fold screen; ink, color, and gold on paper
- Dates
- ca. early 17th century
- Dimensions
- Painting: 103.7 x 325 cm. (40 13/16 x 127 15/16 in.) Screen: 118.8 x 339.2 cm. (46 13/16 x 133 9/16 in.)
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund
- Culture
- Japanese
- Period
- Edo period
- Place made
- Asia, Japan
- Materials
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