Murasaki Gazing at the Moon at Ishiyama Temple by Utagawa Hiroshige

Murasaki Gazing at the Moon at Ishiyama Temple c. 1847 - 1848

print, ink, woodblock-print

portrait

narrative-art

print

asian-art

landscape

ukiyo-e

figuration

ink

woodblock-print

orientalism

yamato-e

This uchiwa-e print by Utagawa Hiroshige, "Murasaki Gazing at the Moon at Ishiyama Temple," depicts the famous author of *The Tale of Genji* gazing out over a moonlit lake at Ishiyama Temple. The iconic Mount Fuji is visible in the distance. The print, dating from 1847-1848, showcases Hiroshige's skill in capturing the beauty and tranquility of a Japanese landscape. The detailed depiction of Murasaki Shikibu’s clothing and her thoughtful expression adds a human element to this artistic and evocative scene.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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For this fan print, Utagawa Hiroshige depicted the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of Genji. It is said that Murasaki began writing her novel while viewing the harvest moon over Lake Biwa during a stay at the Buddhist temple Ishiyamadera. For this print, Hiroshige imagines Murasaki gazing at the moon and lost in thought, perhaps conceiving of her would-be novel and about to begin writing. Seated at a low writing desk, she holds a writing brush in her right hand and rests her left elbow on a blank sheet of paper. Visible at lower left is the edge of an inkstone.