small sheets of paper (shishiki) decorated with calligraphy or illustrated scenes from Genji dispersed over panels of gold foil; 108 total; calligraphy is written by various courtiers whose names are inscribed on small slips of paper next to the shishiki

Fifty-four Scenes from the Tale of Genji [right of a pair], late 17th century

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Pictures and short passages of text brushed on 108 small squares of paper arranged on the surface of these screens represent the entirety of The Tale of Genji, with a text-image pairing for each of the Tale’s 54 chapters. Reading the passages of classical Japanese written in elegant calligraphy or identifying a specific scene from the Tale and recalling the characters and dramas involved could provide hours of fun for the screens’ owners and guests. But the screens also could have served simply as a luxurious backdrop for some gathering.

Details
Title
Fifty-four Scenes from the Tale of Genji [right of a pair]
Artist Life
1617 - 1691
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.79.39.2
Catalogue Raisonne
Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 72
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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small sheets of paper (shishiki) decorated with calligraphy or illustrated scenes from Genji dispersed over panels of gold foil; 108 total; calligraphy is written by various courtiers whose names are inscribed on small slips of paper next to the shishiki