Portion of Text from the "Wisps of Cloud" (Usugumo) Chapter of The Tale of Genji
1600s-1700s
Maker Unknown
Japanese Art
Portion of Text from the "Wisps of Cloud" (Usugumo) Chapter of The Tale of Genji, 1600s-1700s. Japan, Edo period (1615-1868). Album leaf; ink on dyed paper with gold; 23.3 x 21.3 cm (9 3/16 x 8 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1933.455 The calligraphy brushed on this paper, decorated with a cherry tree seen through clouds, narrates a portion of The Tale of Genji. A scene often illustrated in painted albums and later woodblock prints, it describes Genji taking leave of his love, Murasaki, to see the Akashi Lady, his other love, whose daughter, now in Murasaki's care, clings to Genji's hem as he moves to depart. Some say The Tale of Genji is the world's first novel.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Calligraphy
- Formatted Medium
- album leaf; ink on dyed paper with gold
- Dimensions
- 23.3 x 21.3 cm (9 3/16 x 8 3/8 in.)
- Inscribed
- Inscription: まかり申給さま、くまなきゆふ日 に、いとゝしくきよらにみえ給を、 女君たゝならずみ奉りをくり きこえ給。ひめ君はいはけなく 御さしぬきのすそにかゝりてしたひ 聞え給ほどに、とにもいでた まひぬべければ、立とまりて いとあはれとおぼしたり。 Transcription by Stephen Forrest (kana modernized, punctuation added).
- Departments
- Japanese Art
- Accession Number
- 1933.455
- Credit Line
- Edward L. Whittemore Fund
- Rights Statement
- CC0
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