The Oak Tree (Kashiwagi), Calligraphic Excerpt from Chapter 36 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Editor: This calligraphy, "The Oak Tree" by Jōhōji Kōjo, excerpts the Tale of Genji. The dragon motifs along the top and side give a sense of something powerful being held delicately. How do you read the symbolism at play here? Curator: Consider the dragon, a complex emblem of imperial authority and potent magic. Yet, it's paired with excerpts from a romance. The tale speaks of courtly love and intrigue, of hidden emotions. Do you see a tension between the outward display of power and the intimacy of personal relationships? Editor: I do. It's like the dragon is a container for these delicate feelings. I hadn't thought of it that way before. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It shows how symbols can mediate different aspects of life. It's intriguing how these old forms still resonate with us today.