Bracken Shoots (Sawarabi), Illustration to Chapter 48 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)

Tosa Mitsunobu

Created:

Movement:

unknown

None

key Notes:

"Nature Symbolism" and "Literary Illustration"

Dimensions:

24.2 cm x W. 17.9 cm (9 1/2 x 7 1/16 in.)

medium:

Ink and color on paper

Difficulty:

Master

New game

story of the work:

"Bracken Shoots (Sawarabi), Illustration to Chapter 48 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)" is a work by Tosa Mitsunobu, a prominent Japanese painter of the late Muromachi period, known for his contributions to the revival of traditional Yamato-e painting. This illustration, part of a series depicting scenes from Murasaki Shikibu's classic 11th-century novel, exemplifies the intricate interplay of text and image, reflecting the cultural and aesthetic values of the Heian period while influencing subsequent Japanese art.

Description of the work:

"Bracken Shoots (Sawarabi), Illustration to Chapter 48 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)" by Tosa Mitsunobu features a delicate composition characterized by intricate line work and a harmonious color palette that reflects the aesthetics of the Edo period. The painting depicts bracken shoots in a naturalistic style, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow, while the surrounding elements are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, embodying the narrative essence of the literary work.

Artwork Photograph Source:

Harvard Art Museum

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