Illustrations of Genji Monogatari: Vol. 5, Lady of the Boat

Illustrations of Genji Monogatari: Vol. 5, Lady of the Boat

Date17th century

Maker Tosa Mitsunori Japanese

Maker Tosa Mitsuoki Japanese, 1617-1691

Maker Tosa Mitsuyoshi Japanese

Maker Karasumaru Mitsukata Japanese

Label TextThe Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) was written in the early 11th century by Murasaki Shikibu (fl. 990s–1000s), a lady-in-waiting at the imperial court in Kyoto. It details the trials of Genji, a cavorting courtier and, in later chapters, Kaoru, the son of Genji’s wife and nephew who is known as Genji’s son. This set of five handscrolls includes a passage of text and illustration for each of the tale’s fifty-four chapters. The paintings offer glimpses of the daily lives of courtiers, including meticulous detailing of the textures and colors of interior furnishings, décor, and fashion.

Object number52.40.5

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "A Thousand Years of Beauty: Japanese Art in Seattle", July 16, 2001 - November 17, 2002 Portland, Oregon, Portland Art Museum, "Gift to a City: Masterworks from the Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection in the Seattle Art Museum", cat. # 130Published References"Gift to a City" exhibition catalogue. Portland, OR: Portland Art Museum, 1965, cat. no. 130 Thomas, Edward B. "Oriental Art in the Seattle Art Museum," in Art in America, no. 1, 1965, illus. p. 52 (52.40.5 only)

Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection

Dimensions10 1/2 in. (26.67 cm) L.: 32 ft

MediumHandscroll; color and platinum on paper