Tale of Genji Chapter Book: “Ephemerids” (Kagerō)
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.The distinctive two-page tableau shown here was created by sprinkling yellow-brown granulated pigment over papers to which variously shaped stencils have been applied: a crescent moon, a dramatic diagonal band, paulownia flowers, a line of flying geese, and a stylized sandbar (suhama). The soft mulberry paper of books such as this makes them particularly easy to handle. The calligraphy is said to be in the style of Monk Jien (1155–1225).
Artwork Details
- 伝慈円筆 源氏物語 蜻蛉帖
- Title: Tale of Genji Chapter Book: “Ephemerids” (Kagerō)
- Period: Kamakura period (1185–1333)
- Date: mid-13th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Thread-bound manuscript book; ink on decorated paper
- Dimensions: H. 6 9/16 in. (16.6 cm); W. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm); D. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm)
- Classification: Calligraphy
- Credit Line: Lent by Harvard Art Museums/ Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mrs. Donald F.
Hyde in honor of Karl Kup - Curatorial Department: Asian Art