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Scenes from the Tale of Genji
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Folding screens served as temporary dividers in traditional Japanese open-plan architectural spaces. This pair was inspired by Japan’s most celebrated work of literature, the <em>Tale of Genji</em>, written by Murasaki Shikibu, an attendant to the empress in the early 11th-century imperial court. The novel follows the love life of the “Shining Prince” Genji and delves into the psychological states of his many companions. Distinct episodes are nestled within a matrix of golden clouds and landscape elements. Each screen includes six episodes presented in a nonlinear fashion, capturing scattered highlights of the story.
| Artist / Maker | Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1700s |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) |
| Medium | Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink, color, and gold on gilded paper |
| Dimensions | Image: 154.4 x 351.2 cm (60 13/16 x 138 1/4 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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