The Tale of Genji
These handscrolls, representing all fifty-four chapters from Murasaki Shikibu’s literary masterpiece, have been attributed to Yūsetsu, son of ink-painting master Kaihō Yūshō (1535–1615), and twenty-seven calligraphers. The painted scenes, with their skillful brushwork, occasional touches of gold and silver, and distinctive landscape elements, exhibit some similarities to other works associated with Yūsetsu. One scene, for Chapter Forty-five, was executed by a different, less skilled artist, perhaps an apprentice.
Although descended from a samurai family, Yūsetsu, who lost his father while young, is known to have operated a shop selling ready-made pictures. His fortunes improved following his introduction to third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu (1605–1651), and artists of the Kano school; this led to commissions from courtiers and the shogun himself.
[Conservation of The Tale of Genji handscrolls was made possible by a generous grant from the Sumitomo Foundation, Tokyo, to the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation.]
Although descended from a samurai family, Yūsetsu, who lost his father while young, is known to have operated a shop selling ready-made pictures. His fortunes improved following his introduction to third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu (1605–1651), and artists of the Kano school; this led to commissions from courtiers and the shogun himself.
[Conservation of The Tale of Genji handscrolls was made possible by a generous grant from the Sumitomo Foundation, Tokyo, to the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation.]
Artwork Details
- 伝海北友雪筆 『源氏物語』 絵巻
- Title: The Tale of Genji
- Artist: Attributed to Kaihō Yūsetsu (Japanese, 1598–1677)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: 17th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Set of two handscrolls; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: Image (each scroll): 9 7/16 in. × 63 ft. 8 9/16 in. (24 × 1942 cm)
Overall with knobs: 11 7/16 in. × 63 ft. 8 9/16 in. (29 × 1942 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.300.38a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Kaihō Yūsetsu
mid-17th century
Kano Tan'yū
mid-17th century
Wang Yuanqi
ca. 1710
Japan
late 17th century
Itō Jakuchū
1755
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