Two Scenes of the Tale of Genji

The subjects of this pair of screens are taken from the chapters "Wakamurasaki" and "Suma," two of the best-known segments of the tenth century novel The Tale of Genji. The right hand screen depicts the first occasion that Prince Genji sees Murasaki since she has ceased to be a little girl. The young lady Murasaki stands on the veranda, surpassing in grace and beauty the attendant beside her. The left screen shows the Shining Prince Genji in exile at Suma, exchanging poems with his retainers as he watches geese fly across the full autumn moon. Members of the Tosa school of painting were adept at painting in small formats such as poem cards (J.,shikishi), but by incorporating elements from Chinese style paintings, they were also able to create dramatic, large scale works. By utilizing this method, Tosa Mitusoki was able to gain for himself the position of official court painter.