17th Century Japanese Tale of Genji Painting, Maboroshi, Tosa School

View Similar Items

Japanese Painting, 17th Century, Tale of Genji, Tosa School

Japanese Painting, 17th Century, Tale of Genji, Fujibakama, Tosa School

Japanese Painting, 17th Century, Tale of Genji, Makibashira, Tosa School

17th century Japanese Falcon Painting, Mitani Toshuku, Unkoku School

Japanese Screen Painting, Circa 1700 'Tales of Ise' by Tosa Mitsusuke

Important Japanese six-fold screen depicting The Tale of The Genji, 17th century

17th Century Japanese Screen Pair, Cranes

Japanese Six Panel Screen: Tosa School Painting of Theatre Scene

Japanese Painting, Framed Panel, 17th Century Falcon by Mitani Toshuku

17th Century Japanese Two-Panel Screen, Gibbons of Folklore

17th Century Japanese Framed Painting by Kano Sansetsu, Plum Blossoms in Snow

17th Century Japanese Screen Pair. Tiger & Dragon by Kaiho Yusetsu

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 5

17th Century Japanese Tale of Genji Painting, Maboroshi, Tosa School

About the Item

The Seer (Maboroshi), Illustration to Chapter 41 of the Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari) Tosa School (second half of the 17th century) Ink, pigment, gofun and gold on paper. Unframed. Dimensions: Approximately 17 cm x 15 cm (6.7” x 6”) During the 17th century, Tosa School artists painted album leaves of Genji scenes in miniature. The viewer is rewarded on close inspection with the delicate facial features of the figures, the intricate patterns on drapery and clothing, and the careful depiction of various flowering trees and grasses. Viewed at a distance, the gold clouds and strong lines of the architecture in the different vignettes work together to form a unifying decorative pattern. Presented here are individual album leaves from an incomplete set, each illustrating one chapter of the Tale of Genji. Exquisitely painted and beautifully preserved, they date to the second half of the 17th century. Roofs are entirely removed from houses to reveal small, doll-like figures within. Delicate flowers and plants suggest the seasons of the year. Surrounded by gilded clouds, these graceful paintings shimmer with uncommon beauty and delicacy. One of the world's greatest literary masterpieces and the finest achievement of classic Japanese prose narrative, The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu shortly after 1000 A.D., has provided endless inspiration for Japanese painters throughout the centuries. The Tale of Genji weaves a vivid depiction of aristocratic life in Heian Japan, which centres on the amorous exploits and political gameplay of the nobility. In this chapter, Genji’s new marriage to the Third Princess puts a strain on his relationship with Lady Murasaki. In response she becomes a nun and later passes away. Genji begins to contemplate how short and fleeting life is. Maboroshi means a seer or sorcerer. The word is the chapter title because of its presence in Genji’s poem: “O seer who roams the vastness of heavens, go and find for me a soul I now seek in vain even when I chance to dream”.

Dimensions:
Height: 6.7 in (17.02 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 0.1 in (2.54 mm)
Style:
Edo (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Gold Leaf,Paper,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
Late 17th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1650-1700
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Kyoto, JP
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2472312688281