Who painted Scene from the Tale of Genji: from the chapter "Yugiri"?

Scene from the Tale of Genji: from the chapter "Yugiri" was painted by Unknown in 1573.

Where can I see Scene from the Tale of Genji: from the chapter "Yugiri"?

Scene from the Tale of Genji: from the chapter "Yugiri" is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

Artwork

Scene from the Tale of Genji: from the chapter "Yugiri"

Scene from the Tale of Genji: from the chapter "Yugiri" is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1573 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Overview

The work, titled *Scene from the Tale of Genji: from the chapter “Yugiri,”* is a painted illustration of a classic Japanese literary episode. Rendered in the traditional format of narrative handscrolls, it visualizes a moment from the eighteenth chapter of Murasaki Shikibu’s 11th‑century novel, offering a glimpse into Heian‑period court life through a later artistic lens.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the encounter described in the “Yugiri” episode, where the protagonist, Prince Genji, observes a woman through a lattice screen while a moonlit night frames the scene. The composition emphasizes themes of longing and the subtle interplay of visibility and concealment, reflecting the novel’s focus on romantic intrigue and the transience of desire.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the painting employs delicate line work and muted pigments characteristic of Japanese narrative art. The figures are rendered with restrained gestures, while atmospheric elements—such as the moon and lattice—are suggested through light washes, creating a sense of depth without overt realism.

History & Provenance

The creator of the piece remains unidentified, a common circumstance for many Edo‑period illustrations that were produced by workshop teams rather than celebrated individuals. The work entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of East Asian narrative paintings, illustrating the diffusion of *The Tale of Genji* beyond Japan.