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“Little Purple Gromwell” (Wakamurasaki)

In the style of Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese

early 17th century

Not on view

In this scene from Chapter 5, Genji is on his way home from the northern hills, where he has glimpsed the young Murasaki (age 10) and asked the bishop (her great uncle) to let him take the girl. The bishop denies this audacious request, but succumbing to Genji’s radiant beauty, he invites him to play the koto and likens him to the precious udumbara flower of Buddhist lore. The artist depicts Genji leaning nonchalantly on a moss-covered rock, surrounded by red azaleas and a profusion of mountain cherry blossoms.

“Little Purple Gromwell” (Wakamurasaki), In the style of Tosa Mitsuyoshi (Japanese, 1539–1613), Two-panel folding screen; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, Japan — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

土佐光吉様式　源氏物語図屏風　「若紫」

Title: “Little Purple Gromwell” (Wakamurasaki)

Artist: In the style of Tosa Mitsuyoshi (Japanese, 1539–1613)

Date: early 17th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Two-panel folding screen; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper

Dimensions: Image : 64 1/2 × 73 1/2 in. (163.8 × 186.7 cm)

Classification: Screens

Credit Line: Lent by Honolulu Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Ray R. Reeves

Accession Number: SL.7.2019.8.1

The Met

Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.