The Tale of Genji
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Ink |
| Current Location: | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA |
| Location History: | The Tale of Genji attributed to Kaihō Yūsetsu was created in Japan during the seventeenth century and is believed to have remained in Japanese private collections for much of its early history, although the identities of its original owners have not survived in documentary records. During the twentieth century, the handscrolls became part of the distinguished Mary Griggs Burke Collection, internationally recognised for its exceptional holdings of Japanese art. Burke’s collection was assembled through acquisitions from leading Japanese and international art dealers and scholars. In 2015, the handscrolls were transferred to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, through a gift from the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation, where they are now preserved in the Department of Asian Art for research, conservation, and public exhibition. |
The Tale of Genji by Kaihō Yūsetsu is a remarkable example of Edo period narrative painting, and a wonderful way of experiencing the most popular of Japanese literary works in a visual way. It is a handscroll, the work on paper being executed in ink, colour and gold, and presents selected episodes from The Tale of Genji in a carefully arranged series of compositions, which unfold gradually before the viewer. The scroll does not depict one single event, but rather it offers the viewer the opportunity to experience a series of events that are linked together, with the possibility of a progressive development in an elegant and continuous way. The refined brushwork, delicate mineral pigments and subtle use of gold that add depth to the visual surface are remarkable examples of technical skill found in Yūsestu. The detailed and precise work on architectural interiors, soothing gardens and seasonal scenes showcases the harmonious and emotional environments that are created. The figures are portrayed with elegant poses, flowing and simple dresses and faces, using hand gestures, motion and space to convey feeling. This is a subtle style, which has been inspired by the refined taste of classical Japanese court culture where refinement and suggestion overtook expression. The composition is carefully structured, with layered architecture, decorative screens and open spaces leading the viewer through the scroll naturally, while offering a balance between the progression of the narrative and harmony of the visuals. The detailed textures and patterns on the textiles, as well as the recurring seasonal themes, add to the cultural depth of the artwork, and further underscore its literary origins. The Tale of Genji is more than a visualisation of a famous novel; it is a reflection on the impermanence of beauty, memory and people. The scroll's harmonious composition, its refined craftsmanship and its poetic atmosphere, all combine into a whole that successfully unites the literature and the painting, ensuring the continuity of the elegance of Japanese cultural heritage over time.
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