Emakimono: Illustrated Handscrolls
National Treasure " The Tale of Genji " and Other Precious Emakimono in Owari Tokugawa Family
Illustrated Handscrolls
An emakimono, or illustrated handscroll, consists of long, horizontal series of paintings in which a tale unfolds as the viewer rolls the scenes one at a time. These scrolls come in various formats and sizes. Some have pictures and text, while others have only narrative illustrations. Small works measure about a meter long, while larger works exceed 20 meters in length. Some tales are contained in a single volume, while others involve multiple volumes.
Illustrated Kabuki Performance (Edo period, 17th c.) by Traditionally attributed to Karasumaru MitsuhiroThe Tokugawa Art Museum
An illustrated handscroll consists of long, horizontal series of paintings in which a tale unfolds as the viewer rolls the scenes one at a time.
These Narrative pictorial scrolls came to be part of the bridal trousseau and were displayed on shelves of reception rooms.
(The female dancer in male fashion) Those wearing such bizzare cutting-edge clothes were called "Kabuki-mono" in this time. Notice she is wearing a rosario as a necklace.
Chapter Kashiwagi Ⅱ from The Tale of Genji Illustrated Scrolls (Heian period, 12th c.)The Tokugawa Art Museum
The Tokugawa Art Museum owns many illustrated handscrolls, including the oldest existing, National Treasure-designated The Illustrate Tale of Genji, as well as eight Important Cultural Properties.
Chapter Kashiwagi Ⅲ from The Tale of Genji Illustrated Scrolls (Heian period, 12th c.)The Tokugawa Art Museum
The National Treasure "Illustrated Tale of Genji" is the earliest existing pictorial version of this novel dated to the first half of the 12th century.
A main character with affairs, Prince Genji, the son of late emperor, is embracing his new-born son Kaoru. We see the father's tacit face and recognize that he already knows what his wife did.
Illustrated Tale of Genji, Pictorial Section of Chapter "Takekawa" Ⅱ (Heian period, 12th c.) by unknownThe Tokugawa Art Museum
Believed to have been produced primarily at court, about a century after Lady Murasaki wrote this novel, this celebrated illustrated scrolls beautifully conveys the ambience of court culture.
Usually those noble women were not shown in public, but this time, they happened to be watched by a man of nobility. Two Ladies playing "Go"(a board game) were Princess Oigimi and Princess Nakanokimi.
(Two young court ladies) Tiny parts and thin eyes were the typical expression for both noble male and female in this period. And only subtle change of lines could represent their feelings.
Illustrated Tale of Genji, textual section of Chapter "Hashihime" (Heian period, 12th c.) by unknownThe Tokugawa Art Museum
With the text sections on sumptuously decorated papers , we can see the vague feeling of lyricism and complicated loves and hates of those noble characters in this epic.
Chapter Yadorigi Ⅱ from The Tale of Genji Illustrated Scrolls (Heian period, 12th c.)The Tokugawa Art Museum
(After the first night of the marriage) Behind the curtain, Prince Niounomiya and his new-wife Lady Rokunokimi were there. We can also find out those court ladies' strikingly vivid dresses.
Today, the collection of the Owari Tokugawa clan belongs to the Tokugawa Art museum and is exhibited to show the lifestyle and culture of this once-powerful Daimyo (Samurai Lord) family.
Exhibit created by the Tokugawa Art Museum .
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