"Imperial Visit to the Great Horse Race at the Kaya-no-in Mansion" from the Tale of Flowering Fortunes

13th–14th century

Not on view

A horse race in autumn 1024 is the setting for this episode from the quasi-historical account of the life of Fujiwara Michinaga (966–1027), the great Heian-court statesman, imperial regent, and patron of the arts. As the race is about to begin, visitors of various courtly ranks make their way to the viewing stand. In addition to detailing the career of Michinaga, the Tale of Flowering Fortunes (Eiga monogatari) is a chronicle of aristocratic life in Kyoto during the Heian period, with descriptions of rivalries, marriages, births, and deaths within the rarified atmosphere of the imperial court.

Artwork Details

Overview

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Exhibition History

References

「高陽院駒競行幸絵巻」『栄花物語』断簡
Title: "Imperial Visit to the Great Horse Race at the Kaya-no-in Mansion" from the Tale of Flowering Fortunes
Period: Kamakura period (1185–1333)
Date: 13th–14th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Handscroll segment mounted as a hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 12 3/4 × 17 3/4 in. (32.4 × 45.1 cm)
Overall with mounting: 45 3/4 × 22 5/8 in. (116.2 × 57.5 cm)
Overall with mounting: 45 3/4 × 24 1/2 in. (116.2 × 62.2 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975
Object Number: 1975.268.32
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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