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Albums of scenes from The Tale of Genji

early 17th century
Not on view
A miniaturized version of ink-line (hakubyō) painting emerged during the Momoyama and early Edo periods, marking a turn in monochromatic depictions of The Tale of Genji. This genre is best represented by the virtuosic work of Tosa Mitsunori. Like polychrome examples of Genji painting, these albums contain one or more scenes for each chapter. They present a new, polished manner of monochrome painting that renders original compositions at a dramatically reduced scale with rich detail that rewards close inspection.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 土佐光則筆　源氏物語画帖
  • Title: Albums of scenes from The Tale of Genji
  • Artist: Tosa Mitsunori (Japanese, 1583–1638)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: early 17th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Two albums of thirty leaves; ink, red pigment, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Image (each leaf): 5 5/16 × 5 1/8 in. (13.5 × 13 cm)
    Album: 7 1/8 × 6 1/8 × 1 3/16 in. (18.1 × 15.6 × 3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.300.34a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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