Scenes from The Tale of Genji

early 17th century

Not on view

These elegant and richly colored Tale of Genji illustrations are stylistically and compositionally close to the refined, almost miniaturist album-leaf paintings by Tosa Mitsuyoshi (1539–1613) and his Tosa school successor, Mitsunori (1583–1638). Although slightly less delicate and gossamer in quality than the album paintings of either, the scenes created by this unknown artist exhibit a similar attention to minute detail, highlighted in these albums by layers of mineral pigments and the application of gold and sprinkled gold. Each of the tale’s fifty-four chapters is represented by an illustration. Although devoid of titles or other inscriptions, standardized compositions allow the viewer to identify the chapters, characters, and events depicted.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

土佐派『源氏物語』画帖
Title: Scenes from The Tale of Genji
Artist: Tosa School
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: early 17th century
Culture: Japan
Medium:
Pair of albums (accordion fold) with 54 illustrations; ink, color and gold on paper
Dimensions: Album: 8 9/16 × 7 7/8 × 2 1/2 in. (21.8 × 20 × 6.3 cm)
Image (each leaf): 5 13/16 × 5 1/8 in. (14.7 × 13 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
Object Number: 2015.300.35a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Tosa School

From the same time and place

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Collection of Pictures, Tosa School Japanese, Ink on paper, Japan — Collection of Pictures
Tosa School

Scene from The Tale of Genji: Chapter 4, "Evening Face" (Yūgao), Tosa School Japanese, Matted painting; ink and color on silk, Japan — Scene from The Tale of Genji: Chapter 4, "Evening Face" (Yūgao)
Tosa School
17th century

Scenes from Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari), Tosa School Japanese, Set of album leaf paintings; ink and color on paper (shikishi), Japan — Scenes from Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari)
Tosa School
late 18th century

Scenes from the Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari), Tosa School Japanese, Set of album leaf paintings; ink and color on paper (shikishi), Japan — Scenes from the Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari)
Tosa School
late 18th century

Nine Scenes from The Tale of Genji and An Aviary (Genji monogatari zu byōbu; Toriya zu byōbu), Tosa School Japanese, Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on paper, Japan — Nine Scenes from The Tale of Genji and An Aviary (Genji monogatari zu byōbu; Toriya zu byōbu)
Tosa School
early 17th century

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