Artwork
幻の源氏物語絵巻 「葵」|“Leaves of Wild Ginger” (Aoi), from the Phantom Genji Scrolls (Maboroshi no Genji monogatari emaki)
幻の源氏物語絵巻 「葵」|“Leaves of Wild Ginger” (Aoi), from the Phantom Genji Scrolls (Maboroshi no Genji monogatari emaki) is an ink painting. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This handscroll fragment, titled “Leaves of Wild Ginger” (Aoi), originates from the largely lost Phantom Genji Scrolls.
About this work
Overview
The trees appear bare, yet a few green leaves of wild ginger are visible at the base, providing a key visual detail within the composition.
This handscroll fragment, titled “Leaves of Wild Ginger” (Aoi), originates from the largely lost Phantom Genji Scrolls. Executed with ink, color, and gold on paper, the painting depicts a long, narrow scene populated by numerous small figures. They are shown in black robes, transporting a white-draped litter through a forest rendered with gold leaf. The trees appear bare, yet a few green leaves of wild ginger are visible at the base, providing a key visual detail within the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The "Leaves of Wild Ginger" scene captures a pivotal moment from the classic Japanese narrative, The Tale of Genji. The wild ginger leaves, or aoi, are not merely decorative elements but function as a crucial visual cue within the story. Their presence signifies a significant turning point in the original tale, indicating a specific dramatic event or development that would have been understood by contemporary viewers familiar with the literary work.
Technique & Style
The artist employed ink, vibrant colors, and extensive gold leaf to create this intricate painting. The use of gold is particularly notable, serving to imbue the nocturnal setting with a sense of tranquility and reverence, even amidst the depiction of a moving crowd. The numerous figures are rendered in a diminutive scale, contributing to the overall visual density and narrative detail characteristic of Japanese handscrolls from this period.
History & Provenance
This segment is one of the few surviving pieces from the Maboroshi no Genji monogatari emaki, known as the "Phantom Genji Scrolls." The designation "phantom" reflects that the majority of this original story scroll has been lost over time, with only fragments remaining to attest to its former existence and artistic scope. These surviving sections offer rare glimpses into a once-complete narrative artwork.
Artist & collection
