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Tsunenobu’s choice of subject reveals the reverence toward the peaceful Heian Period during the time. Here, Tsunenobu references an early Japanese text and earlier artistic renderings of that text. From the twelfth century, this classical Genji art is characterized by the same stylized figures.

The style evokes earlier Genji pictures, which also used gold and bright mineral pigments. Lighter subject matter, like the courtly love depicted in this screen, was preferred over the novel’s darker moments. For the military aristocracy, folding screens depicting Genji motifs were popular. This sense of isolation is highlighted in the secluded setting of the screen. In this feudal society, cut off from the rest of the world, artists revived Heian culture. The Tale of Genji became part of the “artistic vernacular” of artists in the Edo Period as an exploration of nostalgia and the traditions of the past. The time period also plays a role in the subject matter. The personification of female virtue, Murasaki represents the ideal of “warm compassion, grace, and refinement.” Her significance to the plot is suggested by the fact that the writer was nicknamed “Murasaki” due to the popularity of her novel and the importance of the character. This scene is a significant part of The Tale of Genji, as Murasaki is to become Genji’s favorite wife and she is often thought of as the romantic heroine of the novel. The hills and stream off in the distance add to this sense of isolation and seclusion.Īs The Tale of Genji has 54 chapters, it is interesting to examine what parts artists picked to represent out of the wide array of events in the novel. The cloud-like application of gold obscures these buildings and the surrounding landscape, giving the sense that Genji is peeking in on a secret, secluded world. The structure, open enough to see inside yet partially obfuscated by the gold pigment surrounding it, is one of three structures the viewer can make out. Standing below a cherry tree, Genji catches a glimpse of the 10-year-old Murasaki, who is standing inside her quarters. This folding screen depicts a moment from the “Wakamurasaki” (“Young Lavender”) chapter of The Tale of Genji, when our hero spots for the first time the girl who was to become his second wife.

The Tale of Genji is a theme with a long tradition of artistic representation. Murasaki was part of this group of aristocrats, which sequestered ladies away from men and the outside world. A peaceful era, the Heian Period plays a role in the story in its depiction of court aristocracy. Written by an aristocratic lady, Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji is situated within Heian society and follows the trials and tribulations of the handsome son of the emperor, Genji. Japanese literature before this point had mainly consisted of poetry or fairy tales, and The Tale of Genji is significant as a novel with a plot and character development. The Tale of Genji, written just after the year 1000 ce, is considered Japan’s-even the world’s-first novel. Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art Genji espies Murasaki for the first time, from the Wakamurasaki chapter of The Tale of GenjiĦ panel folding screen, ink, color, gold pigment, and foil on paper