Portion of Text from the "Wisps of Cloud" (Usugumo) Chapter of The Tale of Genji

Description

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.

Provenance

Ananda K. Coomaraswamy [1877-1947] sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?-1933); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1933-)

Portion of Text from the "Wisps of Cloud" (Usugumo) Chapter of The Tale of Genji

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1600s-1700s

Accession Number

1933.455

Medium

album leaf; ink on dyed paper with gold

Dimensions

23.3 x 21.3 cm (9 3/16 x 8 3/8 in.)

Classification

Calligraphy

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Edward L. Whittemore Fund