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“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)

mid-16th–early 17th century
Not on view
Originally mounted on sliding-door panels, these screens once formed two walls of a Genji room. They demonstrate how Genji paintings, with their origins in small formats, were transformed into panoramic architectural programs, here depicting three outdoor scenes within a unified, expansive landscape. The dynamic composition and lavish use of gold epitomize the spectacular large-scale works commonly associated with Momoyama painting, while Tosa Mitsuyoshi’s fine craftsmanship and decorative tendencies are evident in the elaborate gold clouds, some of which contain the small squares of gold foil and gold dust characteristic of his miniature works. On the right is a falconry expedition by Emperor Reizei in Oharano. In the lower left corner is the famous scene of Ukifune and Niou traversing the Uji River in a boat.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 源氏物語図屏風「御幸」・「浮船」・「関谷」
  • Title: “An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)
  • Artist: Tosa Mitsuyoshi (Japanese, 1539–1613)
  • Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
  • Date: mid-16th–early 17th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Painted sliding doors (fusuma-e) remounted as a pair of four-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold leaf on paper
  • Dimensions: Image (each screen): 65 1/2 in. × 11 ft. 8 in. (166.4 × 355.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.94.1, .2
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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“The Oak Tree”, Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Album leaf mounted as a hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on paper, Japan
“The Oak Tree”
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
late 16th–early 17th century
“Mistflowers”, Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Album leaf mounted as a hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on paper, Japan
“Mistflowers”
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
late 16th–early 17th century
“Butterflies”, Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Six-panel folding screen; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
“Butterflies”
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
late 16th–early 17th century
“Little Purple Gromwell” (Wakamurasaki), Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Two-panel folding screen; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper, Japan
Returned to lender
“Little Purple Gromwell” (Wakamurasaki)
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
early 17th century
Tale of Genji Chapter Books: Chapter 10, “A Branch of Sacred Evergreen” (Sakaki), Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese, Thread-bound manuscript book with painted covers; ink, color, and gold on paper, Japan
Returned to lender
Tale of Genji Chapter Books: Chapter 10, “A Branch of Sacred Evergreen” (Sakaki)
Tosa Mitsuyoshi
Saionji Shōkō
early 17th century

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