Scenes from the Tales of Ise (Ise monogatari) 1771 - 1799

This painting on paper of 'Scenes from the Tales of Ise' was made by an artist from the Tosa School in Japan. 'The Tales of Ise' is a collection of poems and tales, likely from the Heian period. Paintings like this were made for an elite audience. The Tosa school were known for their work for the Imperial court, and their revival of classical Yamato-e style painting. The elegant figures depicted here indicate the high status of those enjoying the scene. The iris flowers act as a 'code' or signifier of the tale being depicted. To understand the cultural context of this painting, we can look to works of literature, religious texts, or popular songs of the time. These sources help reveal the artistic and social conventions that shaped its creation. Close attention to the social and institutional conditions is crucial to understanding this artwork and its enduring significance.