Akashi, Illustration to Chapter 13 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) c. 1509 - 1510

Curator: This is Tosa Mitsunobu’s "Akashi, Illustration to Chapter 13 of the Tale of Genji," held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite small, roughly 9 by 7 inches. What strikes you first? Editor: The vastness of the gold space surrounding the figures, almost swallowing them whole. It speaks to a deep isolation, despite the presence of others. Curator: The Genji, in exile, no less! It's interesting how Mitsunobu uses the space to mirror Genji's emotional landscape. The gold, usually celebratory, feels melancholy here. Editor: Yes, the intentionality behind the gold is so subversive. The composition situates Genji within a rigid social hierarchy, emphasized by the figures that surround him. Curator: A delicate balance of representation and rebellion. One can almost feel the silence of the exiled Genji lingering in the air. Editor: Exactly. It’s a powerful reminder of how art can subvert expectation and amplify marginalized voices. Curator: It makes one pause to consider the nature of exile, both physical and emotional. Editor: Absolutely, and how those experiences shape our understanding of self and society.