Tale of Genji Chapter Books: Chapter 36, “The Oak Tree” (Kashiwagi)
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.On the front cover of Chapter 36, Tō no Chūjō asks a mountain ascetic to conduct healing rituals for his ailing son Kashiwagi (who is depicted on the book’s back cover). Kashiwagi’s illness stems from his guilt over an illicit relationship with the Third Princess, Genji’s wife. Kashiwagi dies soon after hearing that the Third Princess has given birth to their son Kaoru, whom Genji raises as his own.
Artwork Details
- 伝土佐光吉筆 源氏物語 柏木帖
- Title: Tale of Genji Chapter Books: Chapter 36, “The Oak Tree” (Kashiwagi)
- Artist: Attributed to Tosa Mitsuyoshi (Japanese, 1539–1613)
- Calligrapher: Saionji Shōkō (Japanese)
- Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
- Date: early 17th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Thread-bound manuscript book with painted covers; ink, color, and gold on paper
- Dimensions: 10 1/16 × 6 13/16 × 3/8 in. (25.6 × 17.3 × 1 cm)
- Classification: Illustrated Books
- Credit Line: Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs, Photography
Collection, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations - Curatorial Department: Asian Art