Where can I see Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)?

Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)?

Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) is associated with Tosa School.

Artwork

Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)

Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1607 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting, titled Scenes from The Tale of Genji, was created by the Tosa School in 1607.

About this work

History & Provenance

The work is classified as a painting and entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held.

Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) was produced in 1607 by the Tosa School in Japan. The work is classified as a painting and entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held.

Scenes from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari), a 1607 painting by the Tosa School, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is located and housed. The work was produced in Japan and entered the museum's holdings, where it remains accessible to the public.

No specific exhibition history is documented in the available sources.

Overview

This painting, titled Scenes from The Tale of Genji, was created by the Tosa School in 1607. It illustrates episodes from the classic Japanese literary work, The Tale of Genji. The artwork is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering a visual interpretation of the celebrated narrative through its distinct artistic style.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents two distinct yet connected narrative moments. On the left, a woman, elegantly dressed in a blue-and-white patterned robe, is seated on a balcony, holding a fan, while attendants serve tea below. The right panel depicts a man in vibrant orange and red attire, positioned outdoors on a grassy incline, accompanied by another figure. These vignettes offer glimpses into the aristocratic world described in Murasaki Shikibu's epic.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a vivid palette, with striking reds, blues, and greens prominently featured against a more subdued, neutral background. This color contrast draws attention to the figures and their surroundings. Despite the dynamic use of color, the overall impression is one of serene activity, characterized by meticulous attention to small elements such as the tea implements and the garden's pathways, enriching the visual narrative.