Research Catalog

The tale of Genji : a Japanese classic illuminated

Title

The tale of Genji : a Japanese classic illuminated / John T. Carpenter and Melissa McCormick ; with Monika Bincsik and Kyoko Kinoshita ; preface by Sano Midori.

Author

Carpenter, John T.

Publication

New York, New York : Metropolitan Museum of Art, [2019]
New Haven, Connecticut : Distributed by Yale University Press
Madrid, Spain : Printed and bound by Ediciones El Viso, S.A.
©2019

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Item details
Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Request for On-site Use Request Scan Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schwarzman Building to submit a request in person.	Text	Use in library	JQF 19-713	Schwarzman Building - Art & Architecture Room 300

Details

Additional Authors

Description

368 pages : color illustrations, photographs, portraits; 29 cm

Summary

"This will be the first major loan exhibition in North America to focus on the artistic tradition inspired by Japan's most celebrated work of literature, The Tale of Genji. Written by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady-in-waiting in the early eleventh-century imperial court, and often referred to as the world's first psychological novel, the tale recounts the amorous escapades of the "Shining Prince" Genji and introduces some of the most iconic female characters in the history of Japanese literature. Covering the period from the eleventh century to the present, the exhibition will feature more than 120 works, including paintings, calligraphy, silk robes, lacquer wedding set items, a palanquin for the shogun's bride, and popular art such as ukiyo-e prints and modern manga. Highlights include two National Treasures and several works recognized as Important Cultural Properties. For the first time ever outside Japan, rare works will be on view from Ishiyamadera Temple--where, according to legend, Shikibu started writing the tale."
"With its vivid descriptions of imperial society, gardens, and architecture in early eleventh-century Japan, The Tale of Genji--often referred to as the world's first novel--has captivated audiences around the globe and inspired artistic traditions for a thousand years. Scenes from the tale adorn lavish screens, robes, lacquer boxes, incense burners, games, and even palanquins for transporting young brides to their new homes. This handsomely designed and profusely illustrated book introduces the outstanding art associated with Genji, while exploring the tale's wide-ranging influence on Japanese culture, design, and aesthetics into the modern era from Ukiyo-e to manga. Through discussions of more than one hundred works, this groundbreaking publication illuminates the classic tale's place within the history of Japanese literature and calligraphy. While highlighting key episodes and characters, the volume also raises issues related to the tale's female authorship and readership as well as to its Buddhist reception."

Subjects

Genre/Form

Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Exhibition catalogs.
History.

Note

Catalog of an exhibition held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from March 5-June 16, 2019.

Bibliography (note)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 349-360) and index.

Language (note)

Text in English.

Contents

Preface / Sano Midori -- Introduction: a thousand years of the art of Genji / John T. Carpenter and Melissa McCormick -- Essays. Learning the "women's hand" in Heian Japan: kana calligraphy and The Tale of Genji / John T. Carpenter -- Beyond narrative illustration: what Genji paintings do / Melissa McCormick -- Evolving iconographies of The Tale of Genji: early modern interpretations of a Yamato-e theme / Kyoko Kinoshita -- Genji and good fortune: bridal trousseaux in the age of Tokugawa shoguns / Monika Bincsik -- Catalogue. Heian court culture and the transmission of the tale : entries 1-13 -- Ishiyamadera and the Buddhist veneration of Murasaki Shikibu : entries 14-24 - Monochrome Genji pictures and the conventions of Hakubyō : entries 25-34 -- Imagining Genji through Tosa-School paintings : entries 35-52 -- Innovations and interventions in later Genji painting : entries 53-64 -- An elegant lifestyle inspired by Genji: lacquers, garments, and games: entries 65-89 -- Genji and print culture: from Ukiyo-e to Manga : entries 90-106 -- Appendices. Shinden architecture and The Tale of Genji / Akazawa Mari -- Genji at a glance: fifty-four scenes from the Tale / Melissa McCormick.

Call Number

JQF 19-713

ISBN

9781588396655
1588396657

LCCN

2018289755

OCLC

1048942384

Author

Carpenter, John T., author, curator.

Title

The tale of Genji : a Japanese classic illuminated / John T. Carpenter and Melissa McCormick ; with Monika Bincsik and Kyoko Kinoshita ; preface by Sano Midori.

Publisher

New York, New York : Metropolitan Museum of Art, [2019]

Distributor

New Haven, Connecticut : Distributed by Yale University Press

Manufacturer

Madrid, Spain : Printed and bound by Ediciones El Viso, S.A.

Copyright Date

Type of Content

text

still image

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 349-360) and index.

Event

"The Tale of Genji: A Japanese Classic Illuminated" : March 5-June 16, 2019, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, United States.

Language

Text in English.

Chronological Term

794-1185

Place of Publication

United States New York (State) New York.

Spain Madrid Madrid.

Added Author

Urbanelli, Elisa, editor.

McCormick, Melissa, 1967- author, curator.

Bincsik, Mónika, author, curator.

Kinoshita, Kyoko, author, curator.

Sano, Midori, writer of preface.

Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), issuing body, publisher, organizer, host institution.

Yale University Press, distributor.

Ediciones El Viso (Publisher), printer, binder.

Research Call Number

JQF 19-713

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