The Perfumed Prince (Niou Miya), Illustration to Chapter 42 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)

The Perfumed Prince (Niou Miya), Illustration to Chapter 42 of the Tale of Genji

The Perfumed Prince (Niou Miya) 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. Tosa Mitsunobu is known for his role in establishing the Tosa school, which specialized in yamato-e, a style of Japanese painting that emphasizes native themes and aesthetics. The illustration captures the refined courtly life depicted in the Tale of Genji, reflecting the cultural and artistic values of the Heian period. Mitsunobu's work is significant for its contribution to the preservation and interpretation of classical Japanese literature through visual art.

"The Perfumed Prince (Niou Miya), Illustration to Chapter 42 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 classical literature. The artwork illustrates a moment from the "Tale of Genji," capturing the refined aesthetics and courtly life of Heian-period Japan.