unsigned; many different scenes with people sitting in small groups inside of buildings, on verandahs, or standing near trees outside; scenes separated by silver clouds: people sitting on and inside a building doing calligraphy; woman inside room looking at a river; men and women outside near trees; scholars seated near rocks; men near a carriage pulled by a black ox, etc.

Scenes from the Tale of Genji on Silver Ground [left of a pair], 18th century

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Many Japanese artists employed gold paint and gold leaf on folding screens; instead, the artist of this pair used silver leaf. Over time, silver leaf oxidizes and turns a smoky gray shade while retaining its metallic sheen. The screens present a selection of scenes from The Tale of Genji in no particular order. The upper middle of the left screen, for example, shows 12-year-old Genji at his coming-of-age ceremony. The courtier’s cap he will wear as an adult male rests on a low table before him. The scenes around him and in the right screen are from varying stages of his life.

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Details
Title
Scenes from the Tale of Genji on Silver Ground [left of a pair]
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.301.1
Curator Approved

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unsigned; many different scenes with people sitting in small groups inside of buildings, on verandahs, or standing near trees outside; scenes separated by silver clouds: people sitting on and inside a building doing calligraphy; woman inside room looking at a river; men and women outside near trees; scholars seated near rocks; men near a carriage pulled by a black ox, etc.