Images(3)

Scenes from the Tale of Genji

Datesecond half 17th century

Label TextTale of Genji, arguably the first novel in the world, was written in the early 11th century by a court lady Murasaki Shikibu. It has since been an inspiration for countless art works. The screen on the right depicts a scene from Chapter 33, “Wisteria Leaves,” when the emperor pays a visit to Genji’s Rokujo mansion on an autumn day. The one on the left shows a scene from Chapter 35, “New Herbs, Part Two,” when Genji organizes a concert for a group of court ladies to perform on New Year’s Day.

Object number72.1.2

Photo CreditPhoto: Spike Mafford

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, A Thousand Cranes: Treasures of Japanese Art, Feb. 5 - Jul. 12, 1987. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Legends, Tales, Poetry: Visual Narrative in Japanese Art, Dec. 22, 2012 - Jul. 21, 2013. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Talents and Beauties: Art of Women in Japan, Nov. 4, 2017 - Jul. 15, 2018. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view July 28, 2022 - Jan. 8, 2023].

Credit LineFriends of the Seattle Art Museum, in honor of the 75th birthday of Dr. Richard E. Fuller

DimensionsOverall: 66 x 146 in. (167.6 x 370.8 cm)

MediumColor and gold on paper