At the Pass (Sekiya), Calligraphic Excerpt from Chapter 16 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Curator: This captivating piece, housed in the Harvard Art Museums, presents an excerpt from the 16th chapter of The Tale of Genji, entitled "At the Pass (Sekiya)." It's a calligraphic work by Jōhōji Kōjo. Editor: The orange ground is striking, though time-worn. The script dances across the page; does the color resonate with themes from the Genji story itself? Curator: Orange, in Heian period aesthetics, often symbolized transient beauty and ephemerality, reflecting Genji's poignant encounters and the fleeting nature of love and power in the tale. Editor: And what about the decorative borders? They frame the calligraphy, creating a sort of theatrical space for the words, almost like the drama of courtly life. Curator: Precisely. These visual devices work to elevate and contextualize, inviting interpretation of cultural memory through the art of the written word. Editor: It gives pause to think about the role of visual symbols in preserving stories over generations. Curator: Yes, indeed. This work reveals the deep cultural and psychological impact of narrative made material.