The Mayfly (Kagerō), Illustration to Chapter 52 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)

The Mayfly (Kagerō), Illustration to Chapter 52 of the Tale of Genji

The Mayfly (Kagerō) is an illustration attributed to Tosa Mitsunobu, a prominent Japanese painter of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This work is part of a series illustrating the Tale of Genji, a classic of Japanese literature written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century. The painting employs ink and color on paper, a traditional medium that allows for delicate and expressive brushwork characteristic of the Tosa school. Tosa Mitsunobu, the founder of the Tosa school, was known for his refined and detailed style, which played a significant role in the development of Japanese narrative painting. The illustration captures the ephemeral beauty and emotional depth of the Tale of Genji, reflecting the cultural and aesthetic values of the Muromachi period. Mitsunobu's work is significant for its contribution to the preservation and interpretation of classical Japanese literature through visual art.

The painting "The Mayfly (Kagerō), Illustration to Chapter 52 of the Tale of Genji" by Tosa Mitsunobu is an exquisite example of Japanese yamato-e style, characterized by its delicate use of ink and color on paper to depict scenes from the classic literary work, "The Tale of Genji." This artwork captures the ephemeral beauty and emotional depth of the narrative, reflecting the refined aesthetics of the Muromachi period in Japan.