Lady Aoi, from Fifty Noh Plays, Illustrated (Yōkyoku gojū-ban, Aoi no Ue)
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.Lady Rokujō’s wandering spirit is featured in the play Lady Aoi, named for her victim, Genji’s wife. In this deluxe edition of the libretto (utaibon), paintings of two scenes provide a glimpse of what audiences saw on the early modern stage. A folded robe lying on the stage represents the ailing Aoi during the entire play, as Lady Rokujō seeks retribution for her humiliation at the “Battle of the Carriages.” At the climax, Rokujō’s vengeful spirit in a horned hannya demon mask battles a holy man called to subdue her. As drums and a flute play at a frenzied tempo, the spirit fights against the exorcism and attacks with a long wand, until the Buddhist incantations prove too powerful and she acknowledges defeat.
Artwork Details
- 土佐光起筆 謡曲五十番 「葵の上」
- Title: Lady Aoi, from Fifty Noh Plays, Illustrated (Yōkyoku gojū-ban, Aoi no Ue)
- Artist: Tosa Mitsuoki (Japanese, 1617–1691)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: 17th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Sixth of ten-volume set; thread-bound books; ink and color on gold-decorated paper
- Dimensions: 13 5/16 × 9 3/4 in. (33.8 × 24.8 cm)
- Classification: Illustrated Books
- Credit Line: Lent by Harvard Art Museums/ Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of the Hofer
Collection of the Arts of Asia - Curatorial Department: Asian Art