The Third Princess with her Cat, from the "New Herbs I" (Wakana I) chapter The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari}

18th century

Not on view

The focal point of one of the tragic romances in the second half of The Tale of Genji is the childlike Third Princess, whom Genji takes to wife in his middle years. While pursuing her runaway cat, the young girl emerges from her living quarters and is seen by Kashiwagi, son of Genji’s best friend, who falls in love with her. This results in a clandestine relationship, Kashiwagi’s guilt-inspired illness and death, and an infant passed off—with Genji’s unspoken knowledge of the truth—as Genji’s offspring.

Settei, born in Omi Province, lived and worked in Osaka as an ukiyo-e painter and print artist, designing numerous printed books and producing paintings of beautiful women dressed in the height of contemporary fashion. Many of these were geisha and courtesans, although his late works also included courtly subject matter.

Artwork Details

月岡雪鼎筆女三宮「若菜上」『源氏物語』
Title:
The Third Princess with her Cat, from the "New Herbs I" (Wakana I) chapter The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari}
Artist: Tsukioka Settei (Japanese, 1710–1786)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 18th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
Dimensions: Image: 34 13/16 × 12 7/16 in. (88.5 × 31.6 cm)
Overall with mounting: 70 1/4 × 17 13/16 in. (178.5 × 45.2 cm)
Overall with knobs: 70 1/4 × 19 3/4 in. (178.5 × 50.2 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, 2015
Object Number: 2015.300.40
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Album of Calligraphy and Painting (Shoga jō) 書画帖, Tsukioka Settei Japanese, Woodblock printed book (orihon, accordion-style); ink and color on paper, Japan — Album of Calligraphy and Painting (Shoga jō) 書画帖
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Shirabyōshi Dancer and Female Servant; Courtesan and Girl Attendant

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White Plum Blossoms and Moon, Itō Jakuchū Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan — White Plum Blossoms and Moon
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1755

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Kaihō Yūsetsu
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Jizō Bosatsu Playing a Flute, Kano Tan'yū Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan — Jizō Bosatsu Playing a Flute
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