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Scenes from the Tales of Ise, mid-1600s. Creator: Unknown
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Scenes from the Tales of Ise, mid-1600s. Creator: Unknown
Scenes from the " Tales of Ise", mid-1600s. While the 11th-century Tale of Genji is universally regarded as Japans literary masterpiece, the source for visual imagery in Japanese culture is rivaled by another literary classic, the Tales of Ise. A 10th-century anthology of poems interspersed with commentary, the Ise portrays the emotional and geographical journey of a courtier from the capital (Kyoto) into the countryside and beyond. The poems describe features of the natural, untamed terrain, linking them to the rather melancholy state of the traveler. Since the Tales of Ise was--and remains today--well read by educated Japanese, a person viewing these folding screens would immediately recognize its subject, organized as a series of discrete scenes read from right to left. Neither a signature nor a seal identifies the artist, but judging from related paintings, the work can be ascribed to an artist working in Kyoto during the first quarter of the 17th century in the manner of the painter Iwasa Matabei (1578-1650). This type of historical narrative composition became quite popular around 1600 among patrons favoring a distinctly Japanese style of painting which employed rich mineral pigments and a liberal use of gold
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Media ID 19641343
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1615 1868 Colour And Gold On Paper
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases scenes from the Tales of Ise, a literary classic in Japanese culture. While the Tale of Genji is often regarded as Japan's greatest literary masterpiece, the Tales of Ise holds its own significance in terms of visual imagery. This anthology of poems and commentary takes readers on an emotional and geographical journey through the eyes of a courtier traveling from Kyoto into the countryside. The poems within this collection describe various natural landscapes, connecting them to the traveler's melancholic state. The folding screens depicted in this print present a series of discrete scenes that can be read from right to left. Educated Japanese individuals who are familiar with the Tales of Ise would immediately recognize these subjects. Although neither a signature nor seal identifies the artist responsible for this artwork, it can be attributed to an artist working in Kyoto during the early 17th century. The style resembles that of painter Iwasa Matabei (1578-1650), known for his historical narrative compositions. During this period, there was a growing preference among patrons for distinctly Japanese styles of painting which utilized rich mineral pigments and generous amounts of gold accents. This particular piece exemplifies that trend and captures both the beauty and depth found within Japanese artistic traditions.
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