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“A Lovely Garland” (Tamakazura), from The Tale of Genji

Painting by circle of Tosa Mitsuyoshi 土佐光吉 Japanese
Calligraphy attributed to Konoe Sakihisa 近衛前久 Japanese
early 17th century
Not on view
In Chapter 22, “A Lovely Garland,” new robes are distributed to ladies in Genji’s household as the New Year approaches. Genji sits near his beloved Murasaki, while the women put garments into lacquered boxes. Mandarin ducks, symbolic of marital harmony, swim in the garden pond. The calligraphy has been attributed to the prominent courtier Konoe Sakihisa (1536–1612).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 源氏物語画帖「玉鬘」
  • Title: “A Lovely Garland” (Tamakazura), from The Tale of Genji
  • Artist: Painting by circle of Tosa Mitsuyoshi 土佐光吉 (Japanese, 1539–1613)
  • Artist: Calligraphy attributed to Konoe Sakihisa 近衛前久 (Japanese, 1536–1612)
  • Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
  • Date: early 17th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Album leaves mounted as a pair of hanging scrolls; ink, gold, silver, and color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image (a): 9 5/8 × 8 3/8 in. (24.4 × 21.3 cm)
    Overall with mounting (a): 53 1/4 × 15 11/16 in. (135.3 × 39.8 cm)
    Overall with knobs (a): 53 1/4 × 17 3/8 in. (135.3 × 44.2 cm)
    Image (b): 9 7/16 × 8 3/8 in. (24 × 21.2 cm)
    Overall with mounting (b): 53 1/8 × 15 5/8 in. (135 × 39.7 cm)
    Overall with knobs (b): 53 1/8 × 17 3/8 in. (135 × 44.1 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.300.33a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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